tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15289768422900783782015-03-30T16:47:17.142-07:00It's Just One Foot in Front of the OtherIt's Just One Foot in Front of the Other ~ on The Trail of My LifeShellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.comBlogger791125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-87427574127449580982014-12-29T08:50:00.000-08:002014-12-29T08:50:01.966-08:00Boyer's Furnace 40 - A Club Run<div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Boyer's Furnace 40 - A Fat Ass Run</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">At 2:30 a.m.&nbsp;waking was easy﻿ thanks to my mind fighting sleep.&nbsp; It was hard to stop thinking about the adventure to come.&nbsp; Boyer's Furnace.&nbsp; Boyer's is a club run&nbsp;or "fat ass"&nbsp;of about 42 miles which they describe as minimally supported but it is anything but "minimally" anything.&nbsp; Having run this event before I should have been off in dream land envisioning that faster finishing time I had hoped to have this year but my mind kept replaying things; like the encouraging message between D and myself where I encouraged her to run even though she wasn't feeling great so we could share some time on the trail.&nbsp; My mind couldn't help but also linger on the fact that my sister had dropped out.&nbsp; I kept wondering why I felt so hesitate myself about my return to the Massanutten trails which I hadn't spent any real time on since May when I ran the MMT100 there.&nbsp; So when I finally drifted off to sleep after 2:30 I wasn't completely surprised to hear my husband tell me it was past my wake up time and I needed to either get up or snuggle back in bed and keep dreaming of the Massanutten trails.&nbsp; Obviously I got up.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QO6xysl5gAM/VKAkHCjAwNI/AAAAAAAATyw/eg56HOvue4g/s1600/2014-12-27%2B05.22.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QO6xysl5gAM/VKAkHCjAwNI/AAAAAAAATyw/eg56HOvue4g/s1600/2014-12-27%2B05.22.41.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">Ready to take on Boyer's Furnace </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">After trying to get ready as fast as I could, I started the hour and a half drive toward one of the race director's homes.&nbsp; The race would basically start and end at her front door.&nbsp; That is one of the things I love about this course and many of the cub runs; that family feeling that taking part give you.&nbsp; This year I did arrive at the start in time to hear the two minute warning and jump in for the group photo.&nbsp; I threw my donations and drop bag down as I heard the seconds counted down and rushed to buckle my pack as I ran through the small pack of runners to settle in with some trail friends.&nbsp; Since I am also a streak runner I wanted to take advantage of the early road section and get my consecutive minimum mile run so I stayed with a group of faster paced runners and fell in with a trail runner that I had run the majority of this event with last year, Katie.&nbsp; I made mixed emotions about sticking with her again this year.&nbsp; I knew that she would be great company and we would definitely be able to set a faster pace than last year but I couldn't help but remember that I had encouraged D to run today when she might otherwise have stayed home.&nbsp; So I finished the first mile and a half and then said goodbye to Katie to take a few photos of the rising sun as I waited for D to catch up.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C53QQxXO57E/VKAiqgad5_I/AAAAAAAATyk/xr5puEOElX8/s1600/2014-12-27%2B07.21.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C53QQxXO57E/VKAiqgad5_I/AAAAAAAATyk/xr5puEOElX8/s1600/2014-12-27%2B07.21.45.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">I waited a while before first her husband and then she rounded the turn.&nbsp; She was power hiking the hill and said she wasn't feeling the best thanks to a nasty cold.&nbsp; We chatted a bit to catch up since we hadn't been able to share the trail in a long time.&nbsp; Her husband Harry and I would spend the majority of the first half of the run running together and then waiting for D to catch up.&nbsp; I enjoyed the climb up to Woodstock and since Harry and I had such a lead on D, we ran out to climb the fire tower.&nbsp; This was something I had never done on the trail.&nbsp; I just had never taken the time to enjoy it but today I was so glad I had.&nbsp; The view was amazing with the sun still low in the sky.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-msQMo5VpK3s/VKAkXNzgJ8I/AAAAAAAATzI/pf2AtFhUFHI/s1600/2014-12-27%2B08.02.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-msQMo5VpK3s/VKAkXNzgJ8I/AAAAAAAATzI/pf2AtFhUFHI/s1600/2014-12-27%2B08.02.29.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">Woodstock Fire Toward</span></div><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8t8_jKHKzas/VKAkTCyyL0I/AAAAAAAATzA/BzhIWRPAKyg/s1600/2014-12-27%2B08.03.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8t8_jKHKzas/VKAkTCyyL0I/AAAAAAAATzA/BzhIWRPAKyg/s1600/2014-12-27%2B08.03.24.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">The rising sun through the gap</span></div><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6GQeTXJb2xY/VKAkKDEZ58I/AAAAAAAATy4/SDqjQgdTd5o/s1600/2014-12-27%2B08.03.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6GQeTXJb2xY/VKAkKDEZ58I/AAAAAAAATy4/SDqjQgdTd5o/s1600/2014-12-27%2B08.03.31.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">So happy to be back on the trail</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">After our quick detour we were back on the trail and through the first aid station.&nbsp; Carter told us that D had just walked through with another runner.&nbsp; Harry and I quickly made our way over the trail to D and Patricia, a relatively new trail runner.&nbsp; </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IpgXa-OKtTE/VKApJeXZNTI/AAAAAAAATzc/8n-aQgV8UaI/s1600/2014-12-27%2B09.36.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IpgXa-OKtTE/VKApJeXZNTI/AAAAAAAATzc/8n-aQgV8UaI/s1600/2014-12-27%2B09.36.06.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">The pace was slow but the scenery was beautiful so I stayed back hoping the slower pace would help D find the joy in being out again.&nbsp;I knew there were several forest road sections that we could make up time on so I still wasn't too concerned about our pace.&nbsp;</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOv1kt9p_bg/VKApJ13WKMI/AAAAAAAATzk/5SIffKDNF6w/s1600/2014-12-27%2B09.36.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOv1kt9p_bg/VKApJ13WKMI/AAAAAAAATzk/5SIffKDNF6w/s1600/2014-12-27%2B09.36.12.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">&nbsp;As we went along this section Harry and I pulled ahead to settle into a more natural pace.&nbsp;&nbsp;Harry was keeping his pace leisurely and&nbsp;we were pausing to clear as much fallen trees and branches as we could move without tools.&nbsp;&nbsp; When we arrived at the Edinburg Gap aid station we were ahead of D and Patricia by a few minutes and knew that D&nbsp;did not have much push in her body or mind today.&nbsp; </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LGfcOlKO58w/VKAo1ecDySI/AAAAAAAATzU/mzmpWOuH11A/s1600/2014-12-27%2B09.37.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LGfcOlKO58w/VKAo1ecDySI/AAAAAAAATzU/mzmpWOuH11A/s1600/2014-12-27%2B09.37.35.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">Hoping some positive energy could help her rebound we quickly fueled up on oranges, chips,&nbsp;coke and ginger ale as we talked with the volunteers and race director who had come out to support the runners.&nbsp; Once D had&nbsp;refueled we were off again.&nbsp;&nbsp;But the conversation quickly turned to dropping at Camp Roosevelt about 20ish miles into the run.&nbsp; We tried to talk D into continuing at the relaxed pace she was going but it seemed as though she had made up her mind.&nbsp; </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ixg17xXPY5Y/VKAscD_SvcI/AAAAAAAATzw/5C90dwb4Ah4/s1600/2014-12-27%2B10.17.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ixg17xXPY5Y/VKAscD_SvcI/AAAAAAAATzw/5C90dwb4Ah4/s1600/2014-12-27%2B10.17.59.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8mwguLKSxCc/VKAshJX70rI/AAAAAAAATz4/IBnEsbTsYcw/s1600/2014-12-27%2B10.18.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8mwguLKSxCc/VKAshJX70rI/AAAAAAAATz4/IBnEsbTsYcw/s1600/2014-12-27%2B10.18.07.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">Harry and I pulled ahead over this forest road section on Edinburg Gap.&nbsp;&nbsp;We talked about how lucky we were to be out on such an amazingly mild, almost hot, December day.&nbsp; I had already removed my base layer and was still wishing I had&nbsp;worn shorts.&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DW2Qt-l_K74/VKAshiR_iqI/AAAAAAAATz8/CUepiFrS3m4/s1600/2014-12-27%2B12.06.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DW2Qt-l_K74/VKAshiR_iqI/AAAAAAAATz8/CUepiFrS3m4/s1600/2014-12-27%2B12.06.47.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">When we made it to the intersection with Moreland Gap, Harry decided to double back and check on D.&nbsp; I was torn and falling into my bad habit of not running my own "race."&nbsp; After a quick nature call I decided I had to continue on my own&nbsp;and knew D would be happy that I did.&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LNmb0c9Hz-g/VKAumqCehjI/AAAAAAAAT0c/WcgOVR0gpJk/s1600/2014-12-27%2B12.24.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LNmb0c9Hz-g/VKAumqCehjI/AAAAAAAAT0c/WcgOVR0gpJk/s1600/2014-12-27%2B12.24.08.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Alone on Moreland Gap Road&nbsp;I was reliving the joy of finally getting to that same spot after 100 miles in May.&nbsp; Today, the beautiful scenes along the road that I ran past in May, I paused to photograph.</span></div><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELg_DeG6bLs/VKAup70dIBI/AAAAAAAAT0k/n6pq2W49XqQ/s1600/2014-12-27%2B12.25.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELg_DeG6bLs/VKAup70dIBI/AAAAAAAAT0k/n6pq2W49XqQ/s1600/2014-12-27%2B12.25.35.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">Still feeling no real pressure to watch my pace I simply enjoyed a few miles alone and took in the scenery.&nbsp; I knew Camp Roosevelt was only a few miles away.</span></div><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_7l2iznAjhY/VKAufs7Ym6I/AAAAAAAAT0U/Eof96cCi4o4/s1600/2014-12-27%2B12.30.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_7l2iznAjhY/VKAufs7Ym6I/AAAAAAAAT0U/Eof96cCi4o4/s1600/2014-12-27%2B12.30.21.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">I ran into Camp Roosevelt aid station to a group of happy helpful faces.&nbsp; After learning the last runners to past through left about 15 minutes ahead of me, I grabbed some noodle soup, pickles, coke and my headlamp.&nbsp; I struggled with not knowing if Harry and D would drop but I was eventually encouraged to keep moving.&nbsp; I made the climb up to the ridgeline and paused to snap a few photos.&nbsp; There were a lot of cars at the overlook were the Massanutten trail hops out onto the road at the eastern ridgeline and a picnicker offered to snap my photo.</span></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-esvg_3oe8Vo/VKAwsGoNxnI/AAAAAAAAT1E/jeyT7lVkEAY/s1600/2014-12-27%2B13.19.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-esvg_3oe8Vo/VKAwsGoNxnI/AAAAAAAAT1E/jeyT7lVkEAY/s1600/2014-12-27%2B13.19.54.jpg" height="180" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">&nbsp;Amazing view</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">﻿</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xUAtR7QCYak/VKAwq6QkA4I/AAAAAAAAT08/GJjA6uNNlqE/s1600/2014-12-27%2B13.20.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xUAtR7QCYak/VKAwq6QkA4I/AAAAAAAAT08/GJjA6uNNlqE/s1600/2014-12-27%2B13.20.27.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">The next 12 mile section was part of Boyer's that had gotten lost in my mind.&nbsp; I forgot how completely false it is when they say it "runs like 14."&nbsp; It's false because it runs like 20!&nbsp; It teases you with a wide easy to navigate trail for a few miles but then&nbsp;narrows and hardens as it runs the ridgeline keeping you from finding any semblance of a steady pace.&nbsp; </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bU8oCJIz19c/VKAyxahuPVI/AAAAAAAAT10/pMQdwTgHcaA/s1600/2014-12-27%2B14.04.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bU8oCJIz19c/VKAyxahuPVI/AAAAAAAAT10/pMQdwTgHcaA/s1600/2014-12-27%2B14.04.47.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">But the views are always worth the effort!&nbsp; This section was a real reminder of just how much training it takes to run on the Massanutten trails.&nbsp; It is easy to forget all the hours of training practicing how to navigate these rocks trails but the eastern ridge was a fast reminder of all the work ahead to be ready for a date with her in May.</span></div><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-97oLtJlMRwo/VKAyoxP0lTI/AAAAAAAAT1c/lbVeImzNuiI/s1600/2014-12-27%2B14.06.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-97oLtJlMRwo/VKAyoxP0lTI/AAAAAAAAT1c/lbVeImzNuiI/s1600/2014-12-27%2B14.06.20.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span>&nbsp;</div><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VuSmpGNSMtI/VKAyQwdqOLI/AAAAAAAAT1U/zznMVmIThRQ/s1600/2014-12-27%2B14.06.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VuSmpGNSMtI/VKAyQwdqOLI/AAAAAAAAT1U/zznMVmIThRQ/s1600/2014-12-27%2B14.06.42.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">At some point along the ridge, Harry caught back up with me.&nbsp; I was so happy to see him thinking that he had talked D into continuing.&nbsp; However Harry wasn't sure if she was coming or had dropped.&nbsp; I continued with Harry for a few miles but a nature call would delay me enough to fall behind again. </span></div><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iokCpV8321w/VKAyq55iJ7I/AAAAAAAAT1k/0ApC2fuLii4/s1600/2014-12-27%2B17.05.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iokCpV8321w/VKAyq55iJ7I/AAAAAAAAT1k/0ApC2fuLii4/s1600/2014-12-27%2B17.05.44.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">I was perfectly happy to be alone on the trail.&nbsp; Even the thought of running alone once the sun had set didn't bother me.&nbsp; Just being able to be on the trail for such a long time is a gift.&nbsp; Early on the eastern ridge I had called my husband to hear how his day was going.&nbsp; It is only because he was home with the kids that I was able to take a day for myself and I am always so grateful for his support and encouragement.&nbsp; When I finally got to the Milford Gap aid station I saw Harry again and they confirmed that D had dropped at Camp Roo.&nbsp; Harry said he was going to continue on his way to get as far as he could before the sun set.&nbsp; The aid station crew was awesome!&nbsp; They filled my pack and got me soup and soda while I sat down with Gary K for a little break.&nbsp; I wanted to get all the wonderful soup into my body but it just wouldn't cool down fast enough and daylight was going to be fading fast so I had to get moving.&nbsp; 8 miles to go.</span></div><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1f8KCwMm10I/VKAy3prT5eI/AAAAAAAAT18/lvRiFmY8b3A/s1600/2014-12-27%2B17.05.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1f8KCwMm10I/VKAy3prT5eI/AAAAAAAAT18/lvRiFmY8b3A/s1600/2014-12-27%2B17.05.48.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">The last 8 miles of Boyer's Furnace should have been much faster than it was.&nbsp; I had a turn sheet which was basically a bunch of lefts before coming down off the trails but then switch from Orange to Blue/Orange to yellow challenged my brain and my feet.&nbsp; As the trail descended it became more and more a flowing creek filled with rocks and mud.&nbsp; I quickly remember the fun of the yellow trail which actually lays within the creek bed.&nbsp; It was fun to have the woods all to myself and splash through the muck.&nbsp; But I was happy to hit the gravel road and begin the twisting country roads that would lead me back to Carter's home.&nbsp; </span></div><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0-secnft2YA/VKAyuFLRsnI/AAAAAAAAT1s/h6P8thZ_7oE/s1600/2014-12-27%2B20.13.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0-secnft2YA/VKAyuFLRsnI/AAAAAAAAT1s/h6P8thZ_7oE/s1600/2014-12-27%2B20.13.25.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">2014 Boyer's Furnace</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">There was the wonderful trail magic that was left by a home owner along the trail, a little basket of fruit, water and snacks.&nbsp; Then there was complete quiet where there was nothing to hear but the breath of the earth.&nbsp; A few turns and there were houses, Christmas lights and a car coming towards me.&nbsp; It was Tony and Arthur coming to check on me and ask if I wanted a ride.&nbsp; Of course that was a silly question.&nbsp; Arthur offer to "run" in with me.&nbsp; Such a nice gesture even though he wasn't dressed for it.&nbsp; So we made our way around a few bends to Carter's front yard and I ran up the front walk to tell her, "I'm home!"</span></div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-78324445838628145362014-10-29T15:56:00.001-07:002014-10-29T16:56:32.464-07:002014 FOTM Race Report - The Final FOTM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Fire on the Mountain 50k</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">As race day approached I didn't feel the usual combination of pre-race emotions.&nbsp; This year there was a few new feelings taking up room in my head.&nbsp; Kevin the RD&nbsp;had made the official announcement that 2014 would be the final FOTM.&nbsp; Being lucky enough to have run every FOTM, it was sad news that the fifth running would be the last.&nbsp; While the possibility of the race ending <em>(hiatus, Kevin, remember it's just a hiatus) </em>was a sad note, there was a bright spot in the happenings.&nbsp; My sister would be running her <strong>first</strong> ever race.&nbsp; First ever ultra trail race no less.&nbsp; I was excited for her and nervous that I may have encouraged her to take a leap that was a bit extreme.&nbsp; Little did I know that once again my tiny big sister would be setting the example&nbsp;that I would&nbsp;try to follow.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1aweDPg3qwc/VE-aC345UlI/AAAAAAAAPd8/C4vhc-yGk3E/s1600/2014-10-25%2B14.21.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1aweDPg3qwc/VE-aC345UlI/AAAAAAAAPd8/C4vhc-yGk3E/s1600/2014-10-25%2B14.21.48.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Packet pickup</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">We headed to Flintstone Maryland to the Green Ridge State Forest Headquarters to pick up our bibs and unfortunately get a refund for our race t-shirts.&nbsp; The RD lives several states away and is the owner of a new business which left little time for some items on the race day check list.&nbsp; But I have to say that was the only detail of the race that was disappointing.&nbsp; I am so grateful that despite all the challenges being so far away and running a business Kevin and his family were still able to put on one of the best trail races I have the privilege to run.&nbsp; Many thanks to Kevin and his family, all the volunteers, DCNR and the beautiful Green Ridge State Forest for allowing us safe and supported&nbsp;passage on a perfect day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_sWJDgB8K6c/VE-aAPqgHlI/AAAAAAAAPd0/DxSaCrCJqLE/s1600/2014-10-26%2B07.13.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_sWJDgB8K6c/VE-aAPqgHlI/AAAAAAAAPd0/DxSaCrCJqLE/s1600/2014-10-26%2B07.13.59.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">As the sun rises</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">There was no sun as I went through the pre-race drill and quietly slipped out of the house and headed to pick up my sis.&nbsp; Being an early riser she was wide awake and waiting for me to hit the road.&nbsp; Mostly we drove in silence.&nbsp; I was lost in my mind, still trying to wake up.&nbsp; As for&nbsp;my sis I can only imagine the thoughts that were swirling in her mind.&nbsp;&nbsp;I wanted to&nbsp;do everything I could to help make this first race a successful one for my sis but&nbsp;it was hard to shake the sadness that it would be the last FOTM.&nbsp; It is silly to get so sentimental about a race but as I made the long winding drive I&nbsp;couldn't help but&nbsp;think of&nbsp;all the past years.&nbsp; </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kn3X59NXkQE/VE-aEAZNGAI/AAAAAAAAPeE/wnfBSiozgCo/s1600/2014-10-26%2B07.15.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: cyan;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kn3X59NXkQE/VE-aEAZNGAI/AAAAAAAAPeE/wnfBSiozgCo/s1600/2014-10-26%2B07.15.45.jpg" height="95" width="320" /></span></a>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">View from the start line</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">In no time I had to get back to reality as we pulled into the open field that would welcome us as a finish line after 32 miles through the Green Ridge State Forest.&nbsp; Sis and I hopped out of the truck to check in, make a quick nature call&nbsp;and then readied our gear in the warmth of the truck.&nbsp; The minutes ticked down and it was time for us to&nbsp;get on the bus that would take us to the start line.&nbsp; On the bus we chatted and listened to other runners talking.&nbsp; Sis and I shared a seat with Janelle who was running her first 50k.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2eKDCSL1rqQ/VE-fPLi2m4I/AAAAAAAAPfw/J2Yi3GH1u34/s1600/2014%2BFOTM%2BHitting%2Bthe%2BRed%2BTrail2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2eKDCSL1rqQ/VE-fPLi2m4I/AAAAAAAAPfw/J2Yi3GH1u34/s1600/2014%2BFOTM%2BHitting%2Bthe%2BRed%2BTrail2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Sis and I about to hit the Red Trail</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The ride has always been longer than I'd want with nervous anticipation growing by the minute but soon enough we were at the start line.&nbsp; One last nature call, a few snapshots, chatted with a few friends&nbsp;and we were ready to get on the move.&nbsp; The RD gave his usual final instructions; Red Trail, Green Trail, Fire Road, Purple Trail and we were....not off.&nbsp; Just as the RD was about to send us on our merry way, several runners yell "Car!"&nbsp; There were two cars making their way to the start line.&nbsp; Thanks to the winds the night before there had been an <em>alleged</em> tree down that delayed a few runners.&nbsp;&nbsp;Graciously the RD waited for them to grab their gear as their driver declared she had photos of the down tree.&nbsp;&nbsp;After a few minutes delay and a few laughs, we were finally set on our way down the fire road for a quick mile before entering the Red Trail.&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wLGdAu8XbHo/VE-aE1NGuyI/AAAAAAAAPeM/uYrvv5SzmlQ/s1600/2014-10-26%2B11.11.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wLGdAu8XbHo/VE-aE1NGuyI/AAAAAAAAPeM/uYrvv5SzmlQ/s1600/2014-10-26%2B11.11.52.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">The perfect day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">RED TRAIL</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The Red Trail was just as wonderful as ever.&nbsp; The day was beautiful, the leaves were abundant and our spirits were high as we moved quickly along the trail.&nbsp; I love how much I remember the route of this race.&nbsp; After about 3 miles we turn left to continue on the Red Trail but a few runners had turned right.&nbsp; With all our trail training miles, we were moving well over the terrain and making great time as we hit a hard left uphill we saw another group of runners who had missed the turn and incorrectly continued straight.&nbsp; We ran into the first aid station and paused long enough for me to tighten my one shoe then continued down the course.&nbsp; As usual, the trees in the Green Ridge State Forest beckon me to visit them but happily this year I would only need a few nature calls through my journey.&nbsp; I enjoyed some technical trail running throughout the remainder of the Red Trail only falling once luckily without paying any blood dues.&nbsp; We hit the second aid station in high spirits.&nbsp; I encouraged my sis to eat and drink more than she was doing.&nbsp; I had&nbsp;some banana, pringles and a little to drink.&nbsp; Sis sent out a quick text to update the family on our progress.&nbsp; We were happy with our pace and still feeling strong as we hit the Green Trail.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2BWfNQipjkI/VE-agREvPFI/AAAAAAAAPeU/fKRI9OiBXq4/s1600/2014-10-26%2B11.12.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2BWfNQipjkI/VE-agREvPFI/AAAAAAAAPeU/fKRI9OiBXq4/s1600/2014-10-26%2B11.12.09.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">A pause at the Oasis</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">GREEN TRAIL</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">My history with the Green Trail has been a wet one but this year the course was as dry as I can remember it.&nbsp; Sis took the lead through this section as we had decided to run together or at least within eye sight.&nbsp; My main role would be to keep her on course and keep her from going to fast early in the race.&nbsp; It was a challenge to contain her enthusiasm and even though I was certain she could probably run much faster than we were going, we hadn't tested how long she could hold those paces and I didn't want her to burn out at mile 27.&nbsp; So we wove our way through the low laying section of Green Trail hopping across the creek only to hop back across the creek.&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b4J5M9FmoEE/VFEyE0FaFZI/AAAAAAAAPgw/nFqY45YfVgE/s1600/2014%2BFOTM%2BJamie%2Bheaded%2Bup%2Bto%2BOasis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b4J5M9FmoEE/VFEyE0FaFZI/AAAAAAAAPgw/nFqY45YfVgE/s1600/2014%2BFOTM%2BJamie%2Bheaded%2Bup%2Bto%2BOasis.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Sis ready for the climb up to the Oasis&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The Green Trail went by quickly as we came out to the water only aid station shortly after passing the open front shed that I recalled being so happy to see in a section with little cover.&nbsp; Since we knew that volunteers were limited, we had planned to be able to run heavily self-sufficient.&nbsp; We paused only briefly before heading back&nbsp;down the trail.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JrM6zZU9JG4/VFEyFbQdU1I/AAAAAAAAPg0/SfgsbBZeSj4/s1600/2014%2BFOTM%2BShelly%2Bheaded%2Bup%2Bto%2BOasis6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JrM6zZU9JG4/VFEyFbQdU1I/AAAAAAAAPg0/SfgsbBZeSj4/s1600/2014%2BFOTM%2BShelly%2Bheaded%2Bup%2Bto%2BOasis6.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">My favorite part; the climbing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Through the Green Trail we passed several runners.&nbsp; My sis was running strong but quiet.&nbsp; Every time I'd check in with her, she was "fine" or "good."&nbsp; It was a different experience to run with someone who is running their first ever race.&nbsp; I can only imagine what all was going through her mind as she was going farther and farther, getting closer to going farther than she had ever gone before.&nbsp; </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wxNwACpCC1g/VE-aj7ll8wI/AAAAAAAAPec/CL9prR2-aEM/s1600/2014-10-26%2B11.12.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wxNwACpCC1g/VE-aj7ll8wI/AAAAAAAAPec/CL9prR2-aEM/s1600/2014-10-26%2B11.12.29.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">The Oasis view</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">THE OASIS </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">As we hit the Fire Road, the RD's daughter was there taking pictures of everyone.&nbsp; Another of many great perks of FOTM, awesome free race photos!&nbsp; In five short years she has gone from a little girl to a beautiful kind young woman.&nbsp; I'd call getting to see her and her sibling grow another of those FOTM perks.&nbsp; Another perk is the Oasis aid station.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YaWalAbM1DU/VE-alxLVFHI/AAAAAAAAPek/aCcRU4UAcmU/s1600/2014-10-26%2B11.12.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YaWalAbM1DU/VE-alxLVFHI/AAAAAAAAPek/aCcRU4UAcmU/s1600/2014-10-26%2B11.12.33.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Sis loved the oranges</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">We climbed the hill to the Oasis aid station dubbed "half way" on the course due to the "easier" second half.&nbsp; I added water to my hydration pack, drank some coke, ate bananas and chips.&nbsp; Sis enjoyed the oranges.&nbsp; Stephanie snapped a few photos of us and we were off again.&nbsp; </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rZqOEQhvwqQ/VE-a3uYXbBI/AAAAAAAAPe0/oRKmKwvbJOw/s1600/2014-10-26%2B14.59.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rZqOEQhvwqQ/VE-a3uYXbBI/AAAAAAAAPe0/oRKmKwvbJOw/s1600/2014-10-26%2B14.59.23.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Enough energy to celebrate</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">We hadn't made it too far in&nbsp;fact&nbsp;I knew where we would answer another nature call because I stop at this spot nearly every year.&nbsp;&nbsp;Thanks to&nbsp;the nature call my tummy settled from the influx of sugar and we were off down the nearly 8 miles of fire road.&nbsp; There isn't much to say about the fire road we ran a lot, we talked&nbsp;some - although now I can't remember what we talked about.&nbsp;&nbsp;There were descents and climbs, rocks and more rocks and finally an aid station across the bridge.&nbsp; We didn't bother really stopping.&nbsp; I just whined that I'd love some sugar and caffeine.&nbsp; </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u-lC91IM4r8/VE-a6LRB0dI/AAAAAAAAPe8/IVKRU8ThXrE/s1600/2014-10-26%2B14.59.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u-lC91IM4r8/VE-a6LRB0dI/AAAAAAAAPe8/IVKRU8ThXrE/s1600/2014-10-26%2B14.59.52.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">The finisher's trophy - worth it!</span></div><span style="color: blue;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">My achilles/heel of my left foot was really bothering me.&nbsp; I was complaining about little things just to hear myself talk.&nbsp; Thankfully&nbsp;sis gave me some pain medication and a couple of runners who settled in beside&nbsp;us briefly offered me more...it must have been obvious that I was uncomfortable.&nbsp; But&nbsp;sis just kept motoring on.&nbsp; It was awesome to see her dig deep and not complain&nbsp;when I know she was working hard.&nbsp;&nbsp;We came to the next aid station but no soda to sugar up on so I risked drinking whatever sports drink they had and thanked them for being there before we headed up the next hill.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BVHdFqnQWYM/VE-atJmhUsI/AAAAAAAAPes/C984I_Mjb_M/s1600/2014-10-26%2B15.07.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BVHdFqnQWYM/VE-atJmhUsI/AAAAAAAAPes/C984I_Mjb_M/s1600/2014-10-26%2B15.07.34.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">5th FOTM - 7:16</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">PURPLE TRAIL</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Quickly we were approaching the entrance to the purple trail and after directing some fellow trail brethren to the correct direction, we took the lead and enjoyed the softer footing.&nbsp; In previous years, I had complained about the purple trail.&nbsp; After my time on the Massanutten trails, I now enjoy the purple trail and felt like we were making some good miles as we worked our way further along the course. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WXIq27tvsvs/VE-bKaM3VbI/AAAAAAAAPfg/uM2AWDtmDg8/s1600/2014-10-26%2B15.51.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WXIq27tvsvs/VE-bKaM3VbI/AAAAAAAAPfg/uM2AWDtmDg8/s1600/2014-10-26%2B15.51.16.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">32 miles.&nbsp; No worse for the wear.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">As we made our way along the purple trail I remember quite a few places in this final section.&nbsp; As we passed under power lines sis mentioned how much it reminded her of our hometown pipeline route on the Mid-State Trail.&nbsp; We passed a particular large tree that has a fondness for me since we shared such intimate moments during one of the early years of this race.&nbsp; We passed a random spot along the trail where Champ had greeted me during the first FOTM.&nbsp; </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TAuAkjr-G9Q/VE-a8WOg4xI/AAAAAAAAPfE/swDGZ5r8AOM/s1600/2014-10-26%2B16.27.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TAuAkjr-G9Q/VE-a8WOg4xI/AAAAAAAAPfE/swDGZ5r8AOM/s1600/2014-10-26%2B16.27.03.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Salty as ever</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">As I relived all those happy memories my sis had grown really quiet.&nbsp; This was the first time during the race that I thought she might be tiring.&nbsp; But still she continued ahead.&nbsp; If I said run, she ran.&nbsp; If I said hike this hill like you mean it, she hiked.&nbsp; But there was an unmistakable air of "<em>I just want to be done" </em>about her.&nbsp; Of course I was eager for that finish line too but as always the longer I go the more comfortable I feel about continuing to put one foot in front of the other.&nbsp; </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-intLaK0Hi3g/VE-bKKa_9YI/AAAAAAAAPfc/SEwxorRvtFc/s1600/2014-10-26%2B17.32.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-intLaK0Hi3g/VE-bKKa_9YI/AAAAAAAAPfc/SEwxorRvtFc/s1600/2014-10-26%2B17.32.19.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">How I celebrate my 5th FOTM 50k</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">We came on the last aid station put didn't take any aid since we had our hydration packs.&nbsp; Only about 4.5 miles to go!&nbsp; The remaining trail was a nice mix of descents, climbs, easy footing and technical running.&nbsp; It was a beautiful day.&nbsp; The conditions could not have been closer to perfect for my sister's first race and honestly, if FOTM has to see an end <em>(Remember Kevin, hiatus.&nbsp; right?!)</em> what better way for that to happen than this perfect day.&nbsp; </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PIQIg4QRCeY/VE-a-l1mpqI/AAAAAAAAPfM/wSEyiTj5dFU/s1600/2014-10-27%2B00.24.04.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PIQIg4QRCeY/VE-a-l1mpqI/AAAAAAAAPfM/wSEyiTj5dFU/s1600/2014-10-27%2B00.24.04.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">5th or 1st, it's a sweet success</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">It was a celebration of the ending of one thing but the beginning of others.&nbsp; Life is like that.&nbsp; Sometimes things have to end but there is always something new to begin.&nbsp; As we started what I knew was the final climb I prayed that my sister's daughters had found their way to the finish line.&nbsp; I knew that nothing was going to stop her from seeing her first ever finish line.&nbsp; I shouted that we were almost there.&nbsp; I was happy I was in the lead because I could hardly hold in the tears.&nbsp; Now tears of happiness that we could share such an amazing journey together.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1MXSJIAz8Nc/VE-bAEGmwkI/AAAAAAAAPfU/udKGEkwYDmg/s1600/2014-10-27%2B01.46.51.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1MXSJIAz8Nc/VE-bAEGmwkI/AAAAAAAAPfU/udKGEkwYDmg/s1600/2014-10-27%2B01.46.51.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Our cheering crew</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">And there they were, two beautiful young ladies waiting for their mom.&nbsp; Cheering and snapping photos as they ran to the clearing that would start our final victory lap to the finish line.&nbsp; That open field that had held one of my favorite finish lines for the past five years.&nbsp; I have loved it and hated it but each time I longed to see it knowing it held another piece of this wonderful journey that I am on.&nbsp; A journey that really has no finish line.&nbsp; A journey made up of moments like this one.&nbsp; Moments that matter.&nbsp; Moments that make me closer to the person I want to be.&nbsp; There I am running with my sister, my big sister.&nbsp; The one I spent my life trying to be just like and in this moment I couldn't have been more proud to see her being a little bit more like me.&nbsp; Minus the complaining. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LkgNFO2ns6Q/VFFs6GR4AnI/AAAAAAAAPhI/zXBypLGI_sA/s1600/2014%2BFOTM%2BFinish%2BLine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LkgNFO2ns6Q/VFFs6GR4AnI/AAAAAAAAPhI/zXBypLGI_sA/s1600/2014%2BFOTM%2BFinish%2BLine.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">﻿</div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-27604730233042674822014-04-01T08:31:00.002-07:002014-04-01T08:31:35.984-07:002014 The Hat Run Race Report<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">This time of year winter fights so hard to stay as spring struggles to get some traction.&nbsp;It reminds me to dig deeper when things get tough. No matter how long it takes, eventually just as winter will turn to spring, I will see each of my challenges through.&nbsp; I kept this thought in mind as I walked to pick up my race bib the morning of the 2014 HAT Run 50k.&nbsp; It was a thought more of my challenges to come than the HAT 50k I was about to run.&nbsp; It seems as though I have been preparing for a race that never comes for such a long time.&nbsp; And it has been a long time, nearing two years now since I first started to train for the Massanutten Mountain Trails 100.&nbsp; Every race has been in preparation for that one event and day in the woods has been to train myself for the conditions I would face over that day and a half.&nbsp; The downside to all that focused training was a bit of a loss of my joy for simply running.&nbsp; But today as I parked my truck and walked to pick up my bib greeted by some many friendly faces I was determined to simply run for the fun of it.&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i40uajlBJrs/UzHLbzCiANI/AAAAAAAAKlI/WOx2cT5NQ9I/s1600/2014-03-23+02.00.20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i40uajlBJrs/UzHLbzCiANI/AAAAAAAAKlI/WOx2cT5NQ9I/s1600/2014-03-23+02.00.20.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">I focused on gathering with trail friends and being surrounded by so trail legends who frequent the HAT Run each year.&nbsp;&nbsp;Quickly I found D and we&nbsp;dropped our bags at the pavilion aid station.&nbsp; The pavilion&nbsp;station would be our start, finish&nbsp;and aid station twice&nbsp;as we passed through it&nbsp;four times&nbsp; This year I head my own advice and leave my hydration pack in the aid station for the first small loop.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">WE'RE OFF</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;"></span></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">In classic HAT fashion roughly 450 runners gather in an open field and are given our last instructions before starting our first&nbsp;out and back and then hitting the tree line for a small loop.&nbsp; I line up with P and D but lose P in front of me and D behind.&nbsp; With tight single track and a large field of runners, pace is quickly set by those in front.&nbsp; I relax into an easy pace and work on passing runners when possible and necessary but I'm focused on simply enjoying this first short loop.&nbsp; The day is quickly warming and trail conditions are great.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e-hVeVTU3Mw/UzHNeZiQt4I/AAAAAAAAKlc/bb8FRzHo5DE/s1600/2014+HAT+50k+Tree+Line.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e-hVeVTU3Mw/UzHNeZiQt4I/AAAAAAAAKlc/bb8FRzHo5DE/s1600/2014+HAT+50k+Tree+Line.JPG" height="320" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">I pass through the pavilion aid station and pause only to grab my hydration pack and head out for the first of two 14 mile loops.&nbsp; It doesn't take long to hit the first creek crossing.&nbsp; The course is a nice roller coaster of hills, descents and flats.&nbsp; Runners around me are mostly quiet so I focus on just finding a steady pace and enjoying the scenery.&nbsp; </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ig8bQs4vzOs/UzHNmvD45EI/AAAAAAAAKlk/bbpz4QThBtE/s1600/2014+HAT+50k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ig8bQs4vzOs/UzHNmvD45EI/AAAAAAAAKlk/bbpz4QThBtE/s1600/2014+HAT+50k.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Having been fortunate enough to run this race before I was nice to be familiar with the course but that didn't take away my urge to pause to snap photos of some of the interesting spots along the way.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t05aX52I0r0/UzHK8QujQGI/AAAAAAAAKkY/3t1gX6R1Pl4/s1600/2014-03-22+10.51.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t05aX52I0r0/UzHK8QujQGI/AAAAAAAAKkY/3t1gX6R1Pl4/s1600/2014-03-22+10.51.27.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The quick photos I snap do not do justice to the beautiful of the trails and trees I am running through.&nbsp; I wonder if I am lucky enough to still be running as the decades pass if I will always find these things so amazingly beautiful.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n5HtFs-GCpo/UzHKlDGk6aI/AAAAAAAAKkQ/of9DvkPJi7E/s1600/2014-03-22+11.20.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n5HtFs-GCpo/UzHKlDGk6aI/AAAAAAAAKkQ/of9DvkPJi7E/s1600/2014-03-22+11.20.24.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">It is beginning to get warm and I have had little time to adjust to the warmer temperatures.&nbsp; It is early in the day and I am already covered with salt.&nbsp; I make a quick stop at the aid station to grab some salty fries which the HAT Run is famous for.&nbsp; Not my typical race day fueling option but a fun staple while running the HAT.&nbsp; I continue on knowing the&nbsp;gravel road section is coming quickly.&nbsp; The trail section goes by quickly.&nbsp; I am still running with other runners, moving through groups as I pass and get passed.&nbsp; While on the road I chat with a few runners but mostly run alone since my pace is faster than it should be.&nbsp; But thanks to a quick pace I am entering the aid station in no time and limbo under the hitching post just for the fun of it.&nbsp; I grab some fluids and salty calories and even sample a fresh perogie.&nbsp; Yum!&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">AID STATIONS</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">It really does go beyond aid stations, it's really a need to thank all the volunteers who helped make my day of playing in the woods possible.&nbsp; The race directors who deal with all the permits and politics necessary to put on an event at this level really do much more than work on race day and I know they are not alone.&nbsp; Dozens and dozens of volunteers give their time long before race day to make this all happen for 500 lucky runners.&nbsp; So thank you all, to the race directors, Phil, Tim, Mike and Jeff, the countless volunteers, Maryland DNR, the State Park, the rangers and the families who gave of their time to be out cheering not only for their runners but for every runner who passed.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lgBqNKygXjY/UzHLApu83WI/AAAAAAAAKko/O5HvbY_cHVE/s1600/2014-03-22+11.20.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lgBqNKygXjY/UzHLApu83WI/AAAAAAAAKko/O5HvbY_cHVE/s1600/2014-03-22+11.20.48.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">THE NEXT 5 MILES</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Every year I forget the next 5 miles.&nbsp; I only remember the giddiness of the trail and tuck those less then favorable memories deep in a corner of my mind.&nbsp; But as I leave the aid station that sense of d<span class="st">éjà vu sweeps over me and I know that the most challenging miles of the race are in front of me.&nbsp; </span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MtA5YHgwsBg/UzHLUIVUARI/AAAAAAAAKkw/4THWuY9ZteI/s1600/2014-03-22+11.21.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MtA5YHgwsBg/UzHLUIVUARI/AAAAAAAAKkw/4THWuY9ZteI/s1600/2014-03-22+11.21.13.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">I focus on enjoying the views and keeping my effort consistent.&nbsp; The chatter is mostly mine and I remember not to linger too long with any one runner and get stick running their pace.&nbsp; It's great to see faces I remember as I move along the trail.&nbsp; Including Phil Anderson (the A in HAT) who is sitting at the bottom of our last climb as we enter Phil's Forest.&nbsp; He greets everyone with a smile and a handshake.&nbsp; The final section goes quickly as I enter the final open hay field that leads to the pavilion aid station and the final loop.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EP5xjSUWNXQ/UzHLakEOuAI/AAAAAAAAKk8/vb4ya5FRr_Q/s1600/2014-03-22+13.25.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EP5xjSUWNXQ/UzHLakEOuAI/AAAAAAAAKk8/vb4ya5FRr_Q/s1600/2014-03-22+13.25.39.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">As I top the hay field I see Tim Gavin and ask if I can use my poles on the second loop since the runners will be more spread out.&nbsp; He gives me an "are you crazy look" but says yeah, just don't stab anyone.&nbsp; I grab some fluids, some calories and my poles and head out again.&nbsp; I run over an open field lengthening my poles.&nbsp; Although the HAT course is not really one where you would need poles, I need the practice of holding them, adjusting them, and using them so that my mind and arms are ready to use them during MMT.&nbsp; Today will be practice for running with them when I don't really want them in my hands.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNYIASA33xk/UzHLeXMYmNI/AAAAAAAAKlM/p5db_TllZhA/s1600/2014-03-22+13.57.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNYIASA33xk/UzHLeXMYmNI/AAAAAAAAKlM/p5db_TllZhA/s1600/2014-03-22+13.57.25.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">SECOND LOOP</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">This loop goes much like the first with the exception that there are fewer runners to alter my pace.&nbsp; Somewhere along the loop Natalie and I start running together.&nbsp; We have mutual friends.&nbsp; This is her first ultra distance event and she is making it look easy.&nbsp; I most likely talk more than she does and she is kind enough to listen to my chatter.&nbsp; This loop I do not pause for photos.&nbsp; I am simply enjoying the moments like when the trail falls silent and all I hear is the sound of my feet and the birds in the air.&nbsp; I notice the rising sound of water each time the trail draws near a creek and the smell that says the water is getting closer.&nbsp; I eavesdrop on fellow runners as the trail winds higher.&nbsp; I can hear their distant voice raising.&nbsp; I see the wind stir the leaves along the trail and watch the sun cut it's way through the branches that lay bare.&nbsp; I breath it all in.&nbsp; I think back to the thoughts I had this&nbsp;morning, that I had lost some the joy in my running and realize that I couldn't have been farther from the truth.&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5VBULHx5INU/UzHLZ6X9t6I/AAAAAAAAKk4/isUm_YLzerQ/s1600/2014-03-22+16.15.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5VBULHx5INU/UzHLZ6X9t6I/AAAAAAAAKk4/isUm_YLzerQ/s1600/2014-03-22+16.15.43.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">As I saw that small opening in an old field row that leads to an open hay&nbsp;field, I remembered how lucky I am.&nbsp; Lucky not only to be able to be doing this but to do this for all the reasons that matter.&nbsp; I simply love to run through the trails, across the creeks and around the next turn to see just how far my body will take me.&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">My fourth HAT Run 50k done.</span></div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-65487636310649229362014-02-08T06:37:00.001-08:002014-02-08T06:37:02.224-08:00Catherine's 8<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nydrEtS6vY8/UuglXYODbsI/AAAAAAAAIk8/hCbEZ_gTv_Q/s1600/2014-01-18+09.53.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nydrEtS6vY8/UuglXYODbsI/AAAAAAAAIk8/hCbEZ_gTv_Q/s1600/2014-01-18+09.53.47.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The later start of the Catherine's 8 was a wonderful thing.&nbsp; With only a hour drive, meeting at 7:45 made a much easier start to my day.&nbsp; However I wish I had used my extra time to check out the temperatures.&nbsp; I arrived at the 211 parking lot with plenty of time to spare but with a little less on than I would have liked for the incredibly low temps.&nbsp; After rummaging through my car I finally found a hat which I hoped would help hold in a little heat through the miles.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-krX0DDV8XyQ/UuglVOuH8yI/AAAAAAAAIk0/1HZt2cuONr0/s1600/2014-01-18+10.15.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-krX0DDV8XyQ/UuglVOuH8yI/AAAAAAAAIk0/1HZt2cuONr0/s1600/2014-01-18+10.15.38.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The course was a figure 8 with a twice visited aid station in the center.&nbsp; There would be plenty of climbing to allow me to enjoy the beautiful views although I didn't indulge in as many photos as I wanted to take.&nbsp; I needed to keep moving to stay warm.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p_KAI7yOgAk/Uuglu6I8CWI/AAAAAAAAIlM/J6-WwQbhF0U/s1600/2014-01-18+10.15.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p_KAI7yOgAk/Uuglu6I8CWI/AAAAAAAAIlM/J6-WwQbhF0U/s1600/2014-01-18+10.15.44.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The course also offered far more water crossings than I had expected but they were beautiful and largely manageable without completely soaking my feet.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--MtPfVF_EIM/Uugl1pSmNTI/AAAAAAAAIlc/Y-8eHycucZ0/s1600/2014-01-18+10.37.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--MtPfVF_EIM/Uugl1pSmNTI/AAAAAAAAIlc/Y-8eHycucZ0/s1600/2014-01-18+10.37.50.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Catherine's Furnace</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HlUyMK75nnY/Uuglb0dTE6I/AAAAAAAAIlE/THm6Utjh4Vo/s1600/2014-01-18+10.38.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HlUyMK75nnY/Uuglb0dTE6I/AAAAAAAAIlE/THm6Utjh4Vo/s1600/2014-01-18+10.38.28.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The first section left me surprised at the challenge the cold, water and climbs were dishing out.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0d21cS0eIU/Uugl7gjdZiI/AAAAAAAAIlo/xuPw1D_7bSE/s1600/2014-01-18+10.38.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0d21cS0eIU/Uugl7gjdZiI/AAAAAAAAIlo/xuPw1D_7bSE/s1600/2014-01-18+10.38.34.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But any run with hot soup at the aid station is top notch to me.&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nS4LN_CY98/UugmARZ7abI/AAAAAAAAIl0/-NATeRbD0H8/s1600/2014-01-18+15.33.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nS4LN_CY98/UugmARZ7abI/AAAAAAAAIl0/-NATeRbD0H8/s1600/2014-01-18+15.33.11.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The wettest section of the run was the last section after my second pass through the aid station.&nbsp; I loved the turn sheet for this event.&nbsp; I never had a moment of question about where I needed to be with the clear directions.&nbsp;&nbsp;Many times I would be on familiar trail, having run it during MMT or&nbsp;on a training run.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJoGJrxGims/UvY8Mm8VwKI/AAAAAAAAIoQ/dhOrTeXsk-k/s1600/2014-01-18+15.32.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJoGJrxGims/UvY8Mm8VwKI/AAAAAAAAIoQ/dhOrTeXsk-k/s1600/2014-01-18+15.32.54.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As I ran through the endless creek crossings in the low laying trail I knew that the parking lot was fast approaching.&nbsp; My day in the woods was quickly coming to an end.&nbsp; I knew as I finished that this will be a run I will do it&nbsp;again next&nbsp;year in the hopes that that day will greet me warmly.&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-05S2y7ouICU/Uugl7IdgpgI/AAAAAAAAIlk/058BCD1wjzw/s1600/2014-01-18+15.33.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-05S2y7ouICU/Uugl7IdgpgI/AAAAAAAAIlk/058BCD1wjzw/s1600/2014-01-18+15.33.25.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-39640693588349245212014-02-08T06:09:00.001-08:002014-02-08T06:09:22.856-08:00Caroline Furnace to Signal Knob - MMT Training Run<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_2QHNFGGbA/Uu7t1aJF_5I/AAAAAAAAImY/nCXLCp6J5pA/s1600/2014-02-01+06.03.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_2QHNFGGbA/Uu7t1aJF_5I/AAAAAAAAImY/nCXLCp6J5pA/s1600/2014-02-01+06.03.45.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you think you see a mix of emotions in my face you would be right.&nbsp; As I woke at the ridiculously early hour to get ready and drive an hour and a half to the meeting point at the Signal Knob parking lot, my emotions were indeed a mix.&nbsp; My eagerness to be on the trails was tempered by my knowledge of how tough this training run would be.&nbsp; </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fzv9EyWDqNQ/Uu7uF7AhIII/AAAAAAAAImg/Ow55M3idg24/s1600/2014-02-01+08.57.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fzv9EyWDqNQ/Uu7uF7AhIII/AAAAAAAAImg/Ow55M3idg24/s1600/2014-02-01+08.57.49.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The drive was happily uneventful and I arrived at Signal Knob before 6 a.m.&nbsp; Having arrived early I gathered my gear and stayed warm in my car until the run director arrived.&nbsp; After checking in and dropping on my aid station supplies.&nbsp; I was happy to see that&nbsp;Siobhan, Lisa and Mark had suffered from the same insanity and shown up to brave the snowy trails.&nbsp; </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TyfWB7mphjE/Uu7uQCYtaEI/AAAAAAAAImo/2p6HP6UrAks/s1600/2014-02-01+08.58.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TyfWB7mphjE/Uu7uQCYtaEI/AAAAAAAAImo/2p6HP6UrAks/s1600/2014-02-01+08.58.20.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Graciously Kevin squeezed 9 of us in his van and shuttled us to our starting point at Caroline Furnace.&nbsp; It was nice to talk and get to know a few other runners as the day began to brighten.&nbsp; Once we arrived no time was wasted and we quickly got out final instructions and were sent up Moreland Road for the first 3+ miles of icy climbing fun.&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was not happy to see that my Garmin would not turn on.&nbsp; Having last year's paces for comparison I was eager to see if "knowing" the course would help me better tackle the route.&nbsp; As it would turn out, ultra running remains akin to childbirth in the what is remembered department.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sgKRnWZOd8/Uu7unPxicpI/AAAAAAAAIm4/e8fSSCHo6NM/s1600/2014-02-01+10.12.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sgKRnWZOd8/Uu7unPxicpI/AAAAAAAAIm4/e8fSSCHo6NM/s1600/2014-02-01+10.12.32.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Over the first 11 miles&nbsp;we enjoyed the majority of the deep snow that would be on the course that day.&nbsp; The trip up and over Short Mountain was made more delightful by a wonderfully dry thick blanket of snow.&nbsp; </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vBfNa-PbvJk/Uu7ut_yhzoI/AAAAAAAAInA/_pBbgHY4C1o/s1600/2014-02-01+10.48.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vBfNa-PbvJk/Uu7ut_yhzoI/AAAAAAAAInA/_pBbgHY4C1o/s1600/2014-02-01+10.48.12.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With the majority of the climbing in the first half of the run I simply enjoyed the scenery and got to know&nbsp;the trail brethren I happened to be running with.&nbsp; Our training run happened to coincide with the day to pay for entry into MMT if you had "won" the lottery or wanted to join the wait list.&nbsp; Many of my fellow&nbsp;runners were making decisions about whether they would be clicking that Pay Now button for MMT.&nbsp; I reminded&nbsp;some of them that this was only the first&nbsp;official training run and that after spending more time on the trails their definition of challenging would be reframed.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kaxaqk7gnLU/Uu7u4ojvXOI/AAAAAAAAInc/9UAmcmdY7NY/s1600/2014-02-01+10.48.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kaxaqk7gnLU/Uu7u4ojvXOI/AAAAAAAAInc/9UAmcmdY7NY/s1600/2014-02-01+10.48.42.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happily we reaching the aid station at Edinburg Gap.&nbsp; Quickly I refueled, said my thank you and heading back to the trail to begin the next section.&nbsp;&nbsp;This next 8ish miles&nbsp;began to get warm.&nbsp; While it was nice to remove some layers the melting snow and softening ground made for some greasy footing.&nbsp; It didn't take long to know that I was going to have two sun burnt ears before I arrived at Woodstock.&nbsp; </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rfjNFdrsxY8/Uu7uu085EMI/AAAAAAAAInE/8LdBVx8dWK8/s1600/2014-02-01+10.48.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rfjNFdrsxY8/Uu7uu085EMI/AAAAAAAAInE/8LdBVx8dWK8/s1600/2014-02-01+10.48.48.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had settled in for the most part with a group of four runners.&nbsp; Through climbs and descents I would float between them.&nbsp; As we made our way to Woodstock we passed several groups of runners I knew the young man I was chatting with was setting a fast pace but I held on and was happy to have pushed the effort for those miles.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k_AnclwOxMQ/Uu7vBON0fXI/AAAAAAAAInk/0aG-GQFkyUU/s1600/2014-02-01+12.34.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k_AnclwOxMQ/Uu7vBON0fXI/AAAAAAAAInk/0aG-GQFkyUU/s1600/2014-02-01+12.34.43.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As we exited the trail we discovered that we would need to run down the road to access the aid station to check in.&nbsp; As always the VHTRC supported the runners in style.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LxWR8NHyCM0/Uu7vHRWDk3I/AAAAAAAAIns/REqyBqXn2wQ/s1600/2014-02-01+14.33.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LxWR8NHyCM0/Uu7vHRWDk3I/AAAAAAAAIns/REqyBqXn2wQ/s1600/2014-02-01+14.33.07.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The final section seemed to go on forever.&nbsp; My trail company now consisted of Alvin and Dani.&nbsp; They would endure my chatter the remaining miles into the finish.&nbsp; Often as was made our way I would have to double check the turn sheet simply because I felt like we were on one particular section too long.&nbsp; This section, although not technically as hard as some, was a reminder of just how mental MMT can be.&nbsp; After what seemed like 10 miles we were finally off the orange trail and turning right onto the blue trail.&nbsp; I hugged the blazed tree so happy to be headed back onto single track.&nbsp; Then I started up the blue trail.&nbsp; At first I was giddy.&nbsp; I love to climb.&nbsp; I wish I could do it every day, all day.&nbsp; In theory.&nbsp; But in reality that climb on tired legs seemed to never top out.&nbsp; I would push to keep my pace up only to remind myself of the miles of downhill trail I would have once we reached the top.&nbsp; I laughed at myself for forgetting this climb.&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vuMdruq5ydE/Uu7vIg6RWhI/AAAAAAAAIn0/iExXJLqJLyk/s1600/2014-02-01+16.32.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vuMdruq5ydE/Uu7vIg6RWhI/AAAAAAAAIn0/iExXJLqJLyk/s1600/2014-02-01+16.32.27.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It seems that I have selective memory&nbsp;on the more challenging sections of MMT and the training runs.&nbsp; Like a new mother remembers childbirth but the sharpness of that discomfort is softened by the joy of her new child.&nbsp; MMT seems to do that to me.&nbsp; I know it's challenging.&nbsp; I know it is painful.&nbsp; But I also know that it is uplifting.&nbsp; It is rewarding.&nbsp; It is amazing.&nbsp; And it is something that changes you in having done it.</div><div align="center">﻿</div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-20483550420931541672014-01-02T07:28:00.001-08:002014-11-18T08:50:56.821-08:00Boyers Furnace 40 Run Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Os9oqV_pF6g/UsQrXLzPfJI/AAAAAAAAIig/5zQUEZUpWA0/s1600/2013-12-28+05.15.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Os9oqV_pF6g/UsQrXLzPfJI/AAAAAAAAIig/5zQUEZUpWA0/s320/2013-12-28+05.15.09.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Ready for the long drive to the start</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">After a phone call that began, "First off, I'm alright." it was no wonder I didn't sleep much in the few hours I could have slept prior to the Boyers Furnace 40.&nbsp; The super secret spy had been in a minor accident&nbsp;back home&nbsp;while I was preparing for my race.&nbsp; My restless night was caused more by the concern whether I should still be running than it was from any worry that the race would be challenging.&nbsp; But with his reassurance that he was okay I gathered my gear and headed out into the darkness.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OHwzAKx5FRM/UsQrXpI9G3I/AAAAAAAAIik/86BGeKW_uVw/s1600/2013-12-28+07.17.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OHwzAKx5FRM/UsQrXpI9G3I/AAAAAAAAIik/86BGeKW_uVw/s320/2013-12-28+07.17.48.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Being late also meant I got to see the sweeper, Diane.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">I often say that my biggest worry about each race is simply getting there on time.&nbsp; Boyer Furnace provided me with practice on what happens when you don't get there on time.&nbsp; I was the last person to arrive.&nbsp; I started about 18 minutes late.&nbsp; One wrong turn will do that.&nbsp; Luckily being the last one to arrive had it's perks.&nbsp; Alan was generous enough to give me a drive to the start with all my aid station donations and gear.&nbsp; It was only three tenths of a mile but not having to carry everything and potentially make two trips was a real help.&nbsp; Thanks Alan.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Hd--mAC-2A/UsQrrqKc4VI/AAAAAAAAIjA/eAAymOe9e80/s1600/2013-12-28+07.57.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Hd--mAC-2A/UsQrrqKc4VI/AAAAAAAAIjA/eAAymOe9e80/s320/2013-12-28+07.57.14.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">The sun rising over the mountains</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">After dropping my aid station donations and drop bag, I was off running to catch up with the runners.&nbsp; First I caught up with Diane who would be sweeping the course.&nbsp; We chatted for a while but I soon had to continue on to attempt to get a little closer to the pack of runners.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SAsvwOOZGNU/UsQraasd9zI/AAAAAAAAIiw/giw1FoIEV_s/s1600/2013-12-28+07.57.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SAsvwOOZGNU/UsQraasd9zI/AAAAAAAAIiw/giw1FoIEV_s/s320/2013-12-28+07.57.37.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Finally starting to warm up</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Within the first five miles I had caught up with other runners.&nbsp; I fell into pace with a gentleman and he and I passed several runners.&nbsp; He chatted with me about the history of the area as we ran over the trails.&nbsp; As the sun was rising and the day was beginning to warm we paused to remove a layer at the top of a climb.&nbsp; While we were enjoying the scenery two female runners caught up to us.&nbsp; I told them I would catch them and they continued on as I finished gathering my gear.&nbsp; I enjoyed running solo for a while and only hearing my lone footfalls on the fallen leaves.&nbsp; I came to a split in the trail where a pink trail went left off the orange blazed Massanutten Trail.&nbsp; For a moment I wondered if the other runners had taken that trail but, not seeing anyone I continued to follow the orange trail happy to have the forest serenity all to myself.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cC7zhLBQr4U/UsQr264e3eI/AAAAAAAAIjI/L7krUPZ4WFs/s1600/2013-12-28+10.16.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cC7zhLBQr4U/UsQr264e3eI/AAAAAAAAIjI/L7krUPZ4WFs/s320/2013-12-28+10.16.13.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Mile 12.&nbsp; Wonderful aid station volunteers.&nbsp; Hot soup!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">After some miles I heard voices ahead of me on the trail.&nbsp; I would catch glimpses of two female runners as the trail weaved through the forest.&nbsp; Certain that they were the runner I had been with earlier I quicken my pace to catch them.&nbsp; However they were not the runners from earlier, it was Katie and Tracy.&nbsp; Two wonderful trail companions that I would share the majority of the remaining day with.&nbsp; </span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gEZtMyt1_CE/UsQrfBZHpKI/AAAAAAAAIi4/De6Z-NMJb14/s1600/2013-12-28+12.20.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gEZtMyt1_CE/UsQrfBZHpKI/AAAAAAAAIi4/De6Z-NMJb14/s320/2013-12-28+12.20.47.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">A quick shirt change at the mile 21 aid station</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Tracy, Katie and I ran together into the mile 21 aid station.&nbsp; The pace felt relaxed and with no need to push I enjoyed getting to know my trail companions.&nbsp; We chatted about Whole30, running plans,&nbsp; and families.&nbsp; We shared running stories.&nbsp; Katie entertained us with a tale from one of her Laurel Highland experiences.&nbsp; We discussed the interest techniques of all the dog-laden bear hunters we ran past.&nbsp; The miles ticked away as we ran into the Camp Roo aid station.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EZkum6xofQs/UsQsBDtuB_I/AAAAAAAAIjQ/e0DeABPxMqo/s1600/2013-12-28+12.20.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EZkum6xofQs/UsQsBDtuB_I/AAAAAAAAIjQ/e0DeABPxMqo/s320/2013-12-28+12.20.54.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Dave providing runners with peanut butter banana hor d'oeuvres</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">I grabbed a dry shirt from my drop bag and my headlamp.&nbsp; Although we had made it Camp Roo under 5 hours I knew that the second half of the race would be much slower.&nbsp; I ate some banana and a small cup of coke from the aid station and some apple sauce from my drop bag.&nbsp; We all headed up the orange trail for the climb to the east ridge.&nbsp; </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cGFWgKTe1hY/UsQsHfNRhbI/AAAAAAAAIjc/KlpfBo68PjM/s1600/2013-12-28+13.14.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cGFWgKTe1hY/UsQsHfNRhbI/AAAAAAAAIjc/KlpfBo68PjM/s320/2013-12-28+13.14.53.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Beautiful single track</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">As we climbed I seemed to hit a slightly faster pace than Tracy and Katie and felt comfortable so I continued to pull ahead.&nbsp; I knew I would benefit from a little alone time under the trees.&nbsp; </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ppV2nP0qlXg/UsQsVFBlRyI/AAAAAAAAIjo/gD64QKeUFdU/s1600/2013-12-28+13.29.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ppV2nP0qlXg/UsQsVFBlRyI/AAAAAAAAIjo/gD64QKeUFdU/s320/2013-12-28+13.29.27.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Amazing views</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Running solo again I paused to take in the scenery, answer a nature call and simply enjoy where I was lucky enough to be.&nbsp; My thoughts had never left the super secret spy.&nbsp; I wondered how he was feeling and hoped the kids were being helpful.&nbsp; His accident regardless of how minor was a reminder that I am so very blessed to be doing what I love to do.&nbsp; Although a thread of guilt did run through me all day that I was out in this amazing place while he was uncomfortably recovering at home.&nbsp; I knew that he wanted me to be getting everything I could from this run.&nbsp; He wants to see me cross those finish lines more than anyone else so I pushed.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bRlmwQi57eI/UsQsHfKMO2I/AAAAAAAAIjY/e9Hsmg83DyM/s1600/2013-12-28+13.29.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bRlmwQi57eI/UsQsHfKMO2I/AAAAAAAAIjY/e9Hsmg83DyM/s320/2013-12-28+13.29.45.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Loving being on the trail</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">As I left the Camp Roo aid station I was told that the next 12 mile stretch was a tough one.&nbsp; So I was determined to push to keep my effort up.&nbsp; As we topped the climb and turned left to head to the ridge line I was surprisingly greeted with wide open trail to run.&nbsp; It would take a while for the trail to narrow and climb to it's ultimate rocky ribbon of a trail and force my pace slower and slower as I took in the amazing views.&nbsp; </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kmd0T6wNAJY/UsQsoaMUGXI/AAAAAAAAIjw/d6dKXQn78w4/s1600/2013-12-28+13.30.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kmd0T6wNAJY/UsQsoaMUGXI/AAAAAAAAIjw/d6dKXQn78w4/s320/2013-12-28+13.30.54.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Doesn't do the view justice</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Although I knew the turn sheet had 12 miles on the orange trail before the next mention of a trail change, I was still puzzled when I came onto a set a double pink ribbons on a side trail.&nbsp; I ran a bit farther up the trail but returned to the ribbons and waited to Katie and Tracy to confirm the course.&nbsp; It was a treat to sit and be still in the middle of the forest.&nbsp; To listen to the nothing that was all around me.&nbsp; Occasionally I'd hear a bird call or something crunch across the fallen leaves but mostly it was blissfully quiet.&nbsp; Finally the girls arrived and confirmed that we were to stay on the ridge line through the next aid station at Milford Gap.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2lRdl8eiaM0/UsQspIpLe7I/AAAAAAAAIj0/oa5YjNUT-VA/s1600/2013-12-28+14.35.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2lRdl8eiaM0/UsQspIpLe7I/AAAAAAAAIj0/oa5YjNUT-VA/s320/2013-12-28+14.35.36.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Orange blazes remind me that "I" can do this.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Once again I pulled ahead of the trail companions before running into Milford Gap but not before Paul passed me.&nbsp; He was running as if rocks and a ribbon of trail were he native ground.&nbsp; Paul and I chatted briefly and he was off to Milford.&nbsp; Shortly after Paul's departure Alan caught up to me and we ran into Milford together.&nbsp; I was so happy to reach the aid station.&nbsp; The section had been hard and I had gotten the warmest of the day, going through all of my water.&nbsp; I had chosen to only fill it with about 40 oz. at the race start and not top it off until Milford.&nbsp; That choice was almost a bad one when I realized the aid station was almost out of water.&nbsp; Luckily they had enough to give Alan and I enough to carry us through.&nbsp; They did have super hot soup!&nbsp; I enjoyed my third cup of soup for the day as I walked out the of aid station and into the next section.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5wO9Rc2_ESM/UsQsyLmsOPI/AAAAAAAAIkI/k-I7MWa218M/s1600/2013-12-28+15.13.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5wO9Rc2_ESM/UsQsyLmsOPI/AAAAAAAAIkI/k-I7MWa218M/s320/2013-12-28+15.13.40.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Much of the ridge line was burnt</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Boyers Furnace is considered a "fat ass" event.&nbsp; That means you don't pay, you don't get a medal and the race is "limitedly supported."&nbsp; VHTRC doesn't "limitedly support" anything in my experience.&nbsp; The aid stations were abundant,&nbsp;cheerfully staffed and generously supplied.&nbsp; At three aid stations I had warm soup which is my favorite fueling option!&nbsp;&nbsp;The volunteers would helped support this race gave much more than just their day.&nbsp; It takes more than just stand behind a table in the middle of the woods to pull off&nbsp;this level of support.&nbsp; I can't thank everyone involved enough.&nbsp; Thank you to Tony and Carter for organizing the event.&nbsp; Also to Carter and Alan for opening their home to a group of less then clean but cheerful runners.&nbsp; And many more thanks to all the volunteers who cheered us along the way.&nbsp; </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FlrhoO5uuLA/UsQssfwR01I/AAAAAAAAIkA/S1FofQZebL4/s1600/2013-12-28+17.01.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FlrhoO5uuLA/UsQssfwR01I/AAAAAAAAIkA/S1FofQZebL4/s320/2013-12-28+17.01.20.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">It's going to get dark</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Back on the trail I was running solo again.&nbsp; I could occasionally hear Katie and Tracy chatting in the distance but I moved along hoping I could make Veach Gap before darkness fell.&nbsp; I knew that my pace would slow in the dark and I wanted to make as much ground as I could before that.&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21gSZbg9rF8/UsV62SBxN-I/AAAAAAAAIkg/lf18CuGOvXY/s1600/2013-12+Boyer+Furnace+Yellow+Trail+River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21gSZbg9rF8/UsV62SBxN-I/AAAAAAAAIkg/lf18CuGOvXY/s320/2013-12+Boyer+Furnace+Yellow+Trail+River.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">The trail was IN the river!&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Thanks Katie K for the photo</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">As darkness fell my pace did slow and I ended up running with Katie and Tracy again.&nbsp; The company was nice and the occasional chatter was welcome.&nbsp; We made good progress down the blue/orange trail.&nbsp; I had another moment of indecision as I pulled ahead again but thankfully the girls were close behind and we headed down the trail again together.&nbsp; The trail had returned to the low lands and was wet shoe sucking mud running.&nbsp; We were treated to some more company as we approached our final trail when we came upon Paul.&nbsp;&nbsp;He waited when he wasn't sure where the yellow trail was.&nbsp; He had good reason for question because the yellow trail actually continued within a river and headed downstream before existing the other side.&nbsp; With our feet numb from the icy water we made our way to the trail end and a final aid station.&nbsp; Tracy was surprised to see her husband waiting for her there.&nbsp; I ate half a nearly frozen banana and we were off.&nbsp; </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGc-osN7kvc/UsQs0vBlc8I/AAAAAAAAIkQ/LhsX-4_Lu78/s1600/2013-12-28+19.13.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGc-osN7kvc/UsQs0vBlc8I/AAAAAAAAIkQ/LhsX-4_Lu78/s320/2013-12-28+19.13.18.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Wet, cold and dirty but done.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The final section of race was a stretch&nbsp;that seemed to go on forever changing from trail to gravel road as we ran into the night.&nbsp; After a challenging day in the woods we finally turned onto Carter's road and ran through her front yard and to her front porch, our finish line.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">﻿</div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-72655545322665223442014-01-01T06:49:00.001-08:002014-01-01T06:49:29.404-08:00Fingers Crossed<div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">Usually if I am the first one awake in the house I would be eager to sneak off for an early morning run but the first day of the New Year holds a different kind of anticipation for me.&nbsp; Because this morning I woke up before everyone else to hold myself accountable to start this all over again.</span></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/mmt/index.htm"><img alt="http://www.vhtrc.org/mmt/index.htm" border="0" height="271" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_f6wBa5-ArA/UsQo2bV2HDI/AAAAAAAAIiU/zLGasV48kwk/s400/MMT+Lottery+Number+2014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Potential runners have until January 8th to enter their name for the lottery so there was no need to get up this morning after a very late night.&nbsp; I could still be snuggle warm in my bed but I needed to do this.&nbsp; I needed to put my hand up first and say, Pick Me! Pick Me!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The journey begins again.&nbsp; Fingers Crossed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center">﻿</div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-88800006121798190792013-12-10T06:07:00.004-08:002013-12-10T06:07:38.609-08:00A Runner's New Year<div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">The new year may be celebrated on December 31st at midnight with the raising of glasses and exchanging of kisses for most people but for runners the new year begins months earlier with spring race registration often&nbsp;starting before the first snow has covered the ground to herald in </span><span style="color: blue;">winter.&nbsp; We sit under our laptops or have fingers poised above our tablets waiting for the moment to click register hoping the website doesn't crash before your entry is complete.&nbsp; Maybe a few of those spring races are a little more old school and you mail in your entry form only to wait through the process to find out if your a runner or on the wait list.&nbsp; It can all add to the challenge of a hectic holiday season!</span><br /><span style="color: blue;"></span><br /><span style="color: blue;">Since I don't have much control over the registration process for the races I want to run, I focus on doing things that will help me minimize the negative effects of those sometimes frustrating processes.&nbsp; </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2POqmTE_oCk/Uqcd3Ju5RyI/AAAAAAAAIhc/iXaI2oLqkYA/s1600/2013-12-03+16.21.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2POqmTE_oCk/Uqcd3Ju5RyI/AAAAAAAAIhc/iXaI2oLqkYA/s200/2013-12-03+16.21.25.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><span style="color: blue;"></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Information</strong></span><br /><span style="color: blue;">I make sure I know which races I want to include in my spring schedule and then I understand how their registration process works.&nbsp; Do I get priority if I have run it before?&nbsp; Will there be a lottery?&nbsp; If I get in and can't run can I defer?&nbsp; Do club members get early registration?&nbsp; How long will I wait before I know if I am in or not?&nbsp; Just like I research the race course, aid stations and conditions, I want to understand what it takes to get to run the event.</span><br /><span style="color: blue;"></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Focus on the positive</strong></span><br /><span style="color: blue;">Once I know about the registration process I focus on everything I have that will help my chances of getting to run and I let go of everything else.&nbsp; I don't complain on line or with running friends about the hoops that I have to run through to get registered.&nbsp; I can't change it.&nbsp; I can focus on meeting the requirements.</span><br /><span style="color: blue;"></span><br /><strong><span style="color: blue;">Get A Plan</span></strong><br /><span style="color: blue;">I may not get into every race I register for <em>but</em>&nbsp;I will get into some of them so why not get a plan.&nbsp; Whenever I have a little extra time I get out the calendar and pencil in the races I have/will register for and see how they all fit to help get me to my A race for the spring schedule.&nbsp; I pencil in what plan B is for races that I might not get to run.&nbsp; Will I do a long run with friends or plan to find another event to fill any gaps?</span><br /><span style="color: blue;"></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Consistency </strong></span><br /><span style="color: blue;">For me, the best piece of advice on surviving that Runner's New Year is consistency.&nbsp; While many runners may enjoy a bit of a holiday taper, I try to keep my workouts consistent and maybe even add to them to help stay focused over the holiday season.&nbsp; It takes creativity but runners are already great at "fitting it in."&nbsp; Splitting a run, joining a <a href="http://www.runtothefinish.com/2013/12/how-to-get-excited-about-vegetables.html">challenge</a>, starting an added cross training element , focusing on clean eating are all things I do over the holiday season to keep my fitness level and my enthusiasm up. </span></div><div align="center"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Your Runner's New Year&nbsp;or the holiday season doesn't have to derail your attitude or undermine your fitness.&nbsp;&nbsp;As in all things it is simply the way we chose to look at it.&nbsp; Chose to leave these season better than you started it.&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t3ck1b4EIGI/Uqcd_mn7J6I/AAAAAAAAIho/uGLkKlMiRMs/s1600/2013-12-09+08.31.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t3ck1b4EIGI/Uqcd_mn7J6I/AAAAAAAAIho/uGLkKlMiRMs/s320/2013-12-09+08.31.12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue;">HBBC:&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue;">Want to see a little of what I've been doing?&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue;">Click </span><a href="http://www.dailymile.com/training?og=true&amp;group_by=week&amp;workout_type_id=1&amp;field=distance_in_miles"><span style="color: blue;">HERE﻿</span></a></div></div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-79041452545935536282013-12-02T18:24:00.000-08:002013-12-02T18:24:01.973-08:00Construction Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hW5UjAzht2M/Up07MWonJzI/AAAAAAAAIg0/s1aVhrxBwIQ/s1600/2013-11-28+09.04.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hW5UjAzht2M/Up07MWonJzI/AAAAAAAAIg0/s1aVhrxBwIQ/s320/2013-11-28+09.04.21.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">While we enjoyed our holiday time with family we got a sudden taste of winter with temperatures in the teens most mornings.&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uhDbmKVZdp0/Up077qB3iWI/AAAAAAAAIhI/QoI4J1qB3Uo/s1600/2013-11-28+09.05.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uhDbmKVZdp0/Up077qB3iWI/AAAAAAAAIhI/QoI4J1qB3Uo/s320/2013-11-28+09.05.04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The fridge temps did make for some beautiful scenery but they did not keep me from getting out and running with my sister.&nbsp; Having a little company during a long run can help you forget how big a mistake it was to be a cheapskate and not buy the more expensive tights.&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xmSn9ErfT9o/Up07MzICBXI/AAAAAAAAIg8/4uH2a9VDJqw/s1600/2013-11-30+10.49.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xmSn9ErfT9o/Up07MzICBXI/AAAAAAAAIg8/4uH2a9VDJqw/s320/2013-11-30+10.49.11.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Even once the sun was up I was glad I had on every piece of running gear I had brought with me.&nbsp; And once the runs were done I enjoyed having a burning pellet stove to do all my cross training and stretching&nbsp;in front of.&nbsp; </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4mMmasANbLQ/Up07LZUAcCI/AAAAAAAAIgw/1ox-dKEgneY/s1600/2013-11-27+16.10.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4mMmasANbLQ/Up07LZUAcCI/AAAAAAAAIgw/1ox-dKEgneY/s320/2013-11-27+16.10.26.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Four layers off and one to go, I wasn't too frozen to miss out on one exciting running event over the holiday break.&nbsp; The beginning of 2014 race registration...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img align="top" alt="SplashPage" height="185" src="http://www.hatrun.com/htdocs/INDEX%20PHOTOS/SplashPage.jpg" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">...and I'm in!&nbsp; The road back to MMT 100 is under construction.&nbsp; I think it's going to be a rocky, rooty, steep and challenging one.&nbsp; So a little bit of suffering in the cold will only toughen me up.&nbsp; Who knows with all the cold hilly running we are doing, my sister might just be ready to do some pacing on the trails by May.</span></div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-77089715196028515092013-11-18T10:57:00.001-08:002013-11-18T10:57:18.079-08:002013 Stone Mill 50 Mile Race Report<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Run your own race.</strong>&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">That is something I have been advised to do ever since I started running ultras.&nbsp; I've been offered that piece of advice with increasing frequency ever since my MMT experience.&nbsp; I almost said unsuccessful MMT experience but that may not be the most correct description of what happened at MMT because my experience&nbsp;at MMT taught me more about ultra running than anything I've ever been told or read however I digress.&nbsp; Run my own race.&nbsp; That was the plan for my third running of the Stone Mill 50 mile endurance run.&nbsp; Little did I know that&nbsp;I had already&nbsp;set into motion a series of events that would completely shape my race day into something that was much better than any number I thought I could have gotten on my own.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eDSuCchq4nQ/UomV2F52GFI/AAAAAAAAIec/St2ZbYfPZaE/s1600/2013-11-16+05.00.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eDSuCchq4nQ/UomV2F52GFI/AAAAAAAAIec/St2ZbYfPZaE/s320/2013-11-16+05.00.32.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>The Start</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The moon had decided to stay tucked under a thick blanket of clouds as I found myself in the cold morning picking up my bib with Nicole and her BF after sharing a hotel room to save everyone from having to wake up even earlier than we had.&nbsp; The school that would serve as our "after party" was closed in the morning but the field house bathrooms were open and heated a nice perk for a $35 ultra race.&nbsp; I'll take a heated bathroom over a race tee any day.&nbsp; I chatted with the many trail friends&nbsp;that were already there while Nicole checked on the status of her bib which had been picked up for her by friends.&nbsp; With only a few minutes to spare Nicole's race bib finally arrived and we made our way to the start line.&nbsp; We chatted with many friends in the minutes before the race, Charlie, Ron, Gary, Janet, Adam and as with every race many more whose names were lost among the effort in the miles to come.&nbsp; </span><span style="color: blue;">Then we were running.&nbsp; Running around the school after instructions and a command to go&nbsp;that it seemed no one heard or listened to.&nbsp; We rounded the school and slid down the steep hill and slipped into the woods to enjoy some single track running in the dark.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--aIHHj62eHY/UomV2i9FfXI/AAAAAAAAIek/a6LKlcf4nZQ/s1600/2013-11-16+07.12.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--aIHHj62eHY/UomV2i9FfXI/AAAAAAAAIek/a6LKlcf4nZQ/s320/2013-11-16+07.12.25.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Charlie photo bombed us on the dam</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">&nbsp; I doubt you wondering about that <em>plan</em> I had made to run my own race seeing how Nicole and I had only just started running but I had already forgotten that pledge to myself.&nbsp; That silly notion was a foggy memory.&nbsp; Nicole had graciously shared her first Mega and first 50k with me, how could I give up the chance to share another milestone with this amazing new ultra runner for two silly letters.&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OghbIrQ0brw/UomVdav3biI/AAAAAAAAIeQ/VTSZjYYnSjg/s1600/2013+Stone+Mill+Dam+Crossing+with+Nicole3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OghbIrQ0brw/UomVdav3biI/AAAAAAAAIeQ/VTSZjYYnSjg/s320/2013+Stone+Mill+Dam+Crossing+with+Nicole3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Early in the race enjoying the foggy morning</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The course was a bit congested as we hit the trails but we were moving well thanks to the very runnable trails.&nbsp; Usually the train of runners that the single track creates is a point of frustration for me but the everyone moving well the frustration we offset by the benefit of shared light.&nbsp; We were moving well finding our place in the pack, passing and being passed.&nbsp; Unfortunately this seems to be an increasing mention in race reports; poor trail etiquette.&nbsp;&nbsp;The course's out and back section is run in the morning which means a lot of passing on a narrow section of muddy single track while runners are still jockeying for position.&nbsp; &nbsp;Since this only deserves a mention all I'll say is why is it so hard for passing runners to say, "on your left"?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6yd00n_2GA/UoosIZKggDI/AAAAAAAAIf8/JEjRl9YeNAE/s1600/2013+Stone+Mill+Dam+Crossing+with+Nicole+BestOne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6yd00n_2GA/UoosIZKggDI/AAAAAAAAIf8/JEjRl9YeNAE/s320/2013+Stone+Mill+Dam+Crossing+with+Nicole+BestOne.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Having fun cheesing for the camera</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Nicole and I chatted as we made our way to the first aid station.&nbsp; Knowing we needed to avoid losing time at each aid station, I didn't stop.&nbsp; I had my pack and knew the next station was only a few miles.&nbsp; I nearly forgot to drop my headlamp in the box but thanks to a very observant volunteer who offered to take it for me, I avoided having to carry it for 23 more miles.&nbsp; The volunteers were awesome!</span></div><div align="center">﻿</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gfShQERW9Ek/UomV2ofpobI/AAAAAAAAIeg/BymtJ1Y5UNU/s1600/2013-11-16+10.22.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gfShQERW9Ek/UomV2ofpobI/AAAAAAAAIeg/BymtJ1Y5UNU/s320/2013-11-16+10.22.39.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Around Mile 22 can't wait to see the PennyLock aid station</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Throughout the first 20ish miles we were moving at a steady pace and keeping each other entertained with chatter.&nbsp; We came through an aid station and were uplifted to hear that "their" mileage was 2 miles more than we thought.&nbsp; After grabbing some coke and banana we headed out towards Quincy Orchard with renewed enthusiasm.&nbsp; It was great to hit Quincy and hear Matt and Larry cheering as we ran in.&nbsp; Of course I gave them big sweaty hugs&nbsp;which were far better than any fuel I could eaten.&nbsp; With introductions kept&nbsp;brief&nbsp;we grabbed another round of coke and bananas.&nbsp; As I grabbed a couple olives I noticed Alyssa and Kara running into the station&nbsp;behind us.&nbsp; Hellos were quick with the long push to the Penny Lock half way point.&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cNIt_7LA7dw/UomWI8B2JOI/AAAAAAAAIe8/Ty4znPaXQ2g/s1600/2013-11-16+14.56.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cNIt_7LA7dw/UomWI8B2JOI/AAAAAAAAIe8/Ty4znPaXQ2g/s320/2013-11-16+14.56.20.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">The delicious trail...with&nbsp;skinny trees</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Nicole was carrying a handheld and nothing else but I kept my "trail mothering" under control during these early miles and focused on keeping our pace strong and attitudes positive.&nbsp; The only issue I pushed was nature calls which at times were an effort since modest still runs strong until the miles add up.&nbsp; There were lot of trees to choose from if you are a twig but I need a tree with a few more years on it to cover my backside.&nbsp; Finally we found several uprooted trees to avoid to much exposure.&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUVr_VQpvUw/UomWKWlqeWI/AAAAAAAAIfA/A2knhWQGKZ0/s1600/2013-11-16+13.31.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUVr_VQpvUw/UomWKWlqeWI/AAAAAAAAIfA/A2knhWQGKZ0/s320/2013-11-16+13.31.21.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Rt 28 Aid Station</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">The section from Quincy and Penny Lock seemed to hold the most challenge for Nicole.&nbsp; I tried&nbsp;to keep the chatting going.&nbsp; I tired focusing her to lead.&nbsp; I tried pulling a head a bit and giving her a break from my cheerful chatter.&nbsp; I know that having to listen to an upbeat happy runner while you are struggling can sometimes bring out the wrong emotions.&nbsp;&nbsp;So I&nbsp;just kept our pace up.&nbsp; I knew that there were only two options.&nbsp; The Penny Lock aid station would either be a recharge for Nicole or it would be the beginning of a drag through the canal miles.&nbsp; </span></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">﻿</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sb7o9f4FVNo/UomV5DMS-BI/AAAAAAAAIe0/YE63gmgNkzY/s1600/2013-11-16+13.31.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sb7o9f4FVNo/UomV5DMS-BI/AAAAAAAAIe0/YE63gmgNkzY/s320/2013-11-16+13.31.46.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Loving my fresh dry YMX shirt</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">We ran into the aid station with a few other runners.&nbsp; I woohoo-ed and cheered as we ran the short gravel road into the station.&nbsp; This would be one of our longer stops.&nbsp; Nicole used the port-a-potty while I visited with everyone at the aid station.&nbsp; We had seen Janet at an earlier station changing her shoes but didn't stop to talk.&nbsp; She didn't look like she was having the best day so I offered a bit of encouragement but remembered that cheerful runners sometimes do more harm than good in their efforts to rally a struggling runner.&nbsp; Still it was great to see her giving the course everything she had and looking so great while she did it.&nbsp; Nicole was refueling and told me to try a piece of lemon cake.&nbsp; OMGosh.&nbsp; I think I ate two.&nbsp; It was so amazing.&nbsp; I drank coke and ate some banana.&nbsp; My pack still had water in it so I still did not refill it wanting to keep it as light as possible since I had been running every thing.&nbsp; Just as I was trying to get out of the aid station we heard the phenomenon that is Bob Gaylord coming into the aid station.&nbsp; (I just have to say&nbsp;that I am&nbsp;incapable of&nbsp;creating through words the experience of sharing the second half of this race with Bob.&nbsp; What follows is my attempt and it will fall very short of the actual experience.)</span></div><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Where as I am a cheerful chattering trail runner, as anyone who knows him will testify, Bob is a running heckler.&nbsp; And capable of running vast distances while talking nonstop.&nbsp; You can see why I'd like him so much.&nbsp; He was running with Kelly and I saw the perfect opportunity to distract Nicole's struggling mind from the temporary aches and pains that invade while running long distances.&nbsp; Introductions were made and let's just say that it was love at first sight.&nbsp; I knew that Bob was going to make the difference in the second half of Nicole's 50 mile experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: blue;">The four of us&nbsp;left the aid station, Nicole running with Kelly and I with Bob.&nbsp; I usually try to "gain some time" over the canal miles but Bob kept me reeled in.&nbsp; The slower pace was probably just what Nicole needed.&nbsp; It seemed that her attitude and posture were improving</span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zReV6Ojq0Og/UomWQ_4IVNI/AAAAAAAAIfM/KZV4X7SZ_P8/s1600/2013-11-16+13.32.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zReV6Ojq0Og/UomWQ_4IVNI/AAAAAAAAIfM/KZV4X7SZ_P8/s320/2013-11-16+13.32.00.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Hard working volunteers serving up HOT food</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"></span>&nbsp;</div><span style="color: blue;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Over the next miles we would be entertained by Bob and his vast repertoire of stories and remarks.&nbsp; The canal section whizzed by and&nbsp;Bob&nbsp;told us we had 5 minutes to use our drop bags, refuel and get out of there.&nbsp; I only wish I could have hear the thoughts inside Nicole's head as General Bob barked out his orders.&nbsp; Our bags were at the Stone Mill aid station and so was something else.&nbsp; Grilled cheese sandwiches.&nbsp; It's an amazing running moment when you are sick of bananas and chilled to the core to bite into a gooey warm sandwich.&nbsp; With Nicole's socks changed and my fresh shirt on we headed out of the station headed toward Rt. 28 and another big boost for Nicole.</span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GKaexYLAvyA/Uoothd0PeWI/AAAAAAAAIgI/fHGFrsjaUwE/s1600/2013-1116+Stone+Mill+Aid+Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GKaexYLAvyA/Uoothd0PeWI/AAAAAAAAIgI/fHGFrsjaUwE/s320/2013-1116+Stone+Mill+Aid+Station.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">All the salty sweet you could want plus a few little surprises</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>What about me?</strong>&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">I'm having the running day of my life.&nbsp; Well at least the near best running day I can long remember.&nbsp; Yes, my hamstrings a talking but it is a lively conversation they are having.&nbsp; It is not like the call the cops domestic dispute they sometimes have on the Massanuttens.&nbsp; Yes, I've had a few nature calls that wasted more time than I wanted.&nbsp; And yes there is that issue of wanting previously wanting those two little letters.&nbsp; <em>(pr,</em> <em>duh! If I actually had to tell you) </em>I am filled with such giddiness that even my low moments are not actually low.&nbsp; While Nicole and I have been together the entire run, there have been many moments when other runners have joined us and I pulled away to steal a moment somewhat alone to listen to the crunching of the leave under my feet.&nbsp; This day was a reminder that for me ultra running is rarely about running my own race.&nbsp; Running for me is about sharing something so simple that it has almost been forgotten.&nbsp; It's about stripping away the pretenses and doing something for the sheer enjoyment of doing it...with no other incentive or reward.&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GiLWSf8GTEE/UomWiGMbfXI/AAAAAAAAIfs/tiaQ1dfE9ac/s1600/2013-11-16+14.56.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GiLWSf8GTEE/UomWiGMbfXI/AAAAAAAAIfs/tiaQ1dfE9ac/s320/2013-11-16+14.56.27.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">A breath taking day at the feet of&nbsp;trees</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">RT. 28 aid station holds family for Nicole and warm food for me.&nbsp; Several of the aid stations have had broth or noodle soup which hit the spot on the damp day.&nbsp; We snap a few photos, thank the volunteers and hustle on our way.&nbsp; I'm eager to capitalize on the energy surge Nicole might get from seeing family but Bob reels me in.&nbsp; The "to push the pace or not" debate will continue to the finish line.&nbsp; We laugh.&nbsp; We talk.&nbsp; We run inching our way closer to that finish line.&nbsp; Along the way we gather KC and Toni who had been running with Bob earlier in the race.&nbsp; We find what might be the only two shirtless guys running the race.&nbsp; We debate about getting across the finish line before the darkness sets in.&nbsp; Then Riffleford Road aid station is there.&nbsp; There is music, of course I dance.&nbsp; More coke.&nbsp; </span><span style="color: blue;">Burritos for the brave.&nbsp; Hot soup for me.&nbsp; More pace debates with Bob but with only 7ish Stone Mill miles to go the debates were pointless but fun banter.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0O7pLWHhjTY/UomWanrmlcI/AAAAAAAAIfc/2Mn17Pl3X6w/s1600/2013-11-16+17.38.36-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0O7pLWHhjTY/UomWanrmlcI/AAAAAAAAIfc/2Mn17Pl3X6w/s320/2013-11-16+17.38.36-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">A great crew to finish with</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Those last few miles always seem to be the longest and often they are the quietest.&nbsp; The light was leaving the sky and the day had almost come full circle as we could hear the cheers from the finish line.&nbsp; I joined in the cheering to get Nicole across that line first but missed seeing it when Bob tripped right before the finish.&nbsp; Ironically making it all day unscathed only to stumble at the end.&nbsp; Bob was up just as fast as he went down and we crossed the line right behind Nicole and cheered as Toni and KC crossed.&nbsp; It was a great feeling to share so many miles and finish together.&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o1kwSG-ijFo/UomWTC-orSI/AAAAAAAAIfU/I1juZR-1P1k/s1600/2013-11-16+17.39.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o1kwSG-ijFo/UomWTC-orSI/AAAAAAAAIfU/I1juZR-1P1k/s320/2013-11-16+17.39.32.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">Stone Mill 50 Miler - 11:36</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">My experience this year at Stone Mill was a great way to end my 2013 racing season.&nbsp; Getting to be part of someone else's big moment as I have with Nicole is really a gift.&nbsp; In helping someone else I was actually helping myself.&nbsp; I think back to the goals I used to set and remember that somewhere along the way my focus got a little skewed.&nbsp; I definitely hit my A Goal;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Finish Feeling Fine Having Fun.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">In the end I did run my own race.&nbsp; I just chose to run it based on more than just myself which turned out to be exactly how I run at my best.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><em>Thanks to Doug, Bob, Kelly, Toni, KC, Charlie, Larry, Matt, Gary, Ron, Jonathan, Janet, Gary K, Alyssa, Kara, the countless name that I am forgetting&nbsp;and Nicole for giving some of their day to me and helping me create the best Stone Mill adventure...so far.</em></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center">﻿</div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-77019371191143778942013-11-15T06:16:00.003-08:002013-11-15T06:16:16.196-08:00Something Old, Something New...<div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Something Old</span></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09CdoWJyVvI/UoYhQVsQBuI/AAAAAAAAId8/MtM36b_zjus/s1600/2013-11-14+16.46.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09CdoWJyVvI/UoYhQVsQBuI/AAAAAAAAId8/MtM36b_zjus/s320/2013-11-14+16.46.18.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div align="center">﻿</div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">As I celebrated another in the growing pile of birthdays recently, the list that can be filed under 'Something Old" grows longer.&nbsp; My<strong> running</strong> <strong>streak</strong> would be one of the items on that list.&nbsp; Today marks day 1286.&nbsp; There are days when I feel every one of those 11,330+ miles but the majority of days I can't imagine missing a day.&nbsp; Another biggie on the 'Something Old' list is </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><a href="http://stone-mill-50-mile.org/"><img alt="StoneMill_LogoFinal-2013_CopperplateGothicLight77pt" class="wp-image-520 alignright" height="291" src="http://stone-mill-50-mile.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/StoneMill_LogoFinal-2013_CopperplateGothicLight77pt.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">This will be my third running of the <strong>Stone Mill 50 Miler</strong>.&nbsp; I'll make no predications about what the clock will say when I cross the finish line this year.&nbsp; While I'd love to finish in daylight I have to set my expectations in reality.&nbsp; Experience has taught me that many things come into play over ultra distances and the added pressure of time goals, at my current fitness level, would do nothing to improve my performance.&nbsp; </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Something New</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.runtothefinish.com/2013/10/holiday-challenge-6th-edition.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Run to the Finish HBBC" height="210" id="yui_3_13_0_1_1384521480784_2265" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/25ab61d776f26c865d2ae1cc8/images/HBBC2013Logo.jpg" style="border: 0px currentColor; height: 210px; text-decoration: none; width: 225px;" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Filed in the drawer, 'Something New' you will find that I almost missed out on&nbsp;my holiday motivation!&nbsp; The <strong>Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge</strong>.&nbsp; Since Stone Mill is usually my last real race of the year I tend to backslid a little but with the support and accountability of the HBBC I have been able to survive the past three holiday seasons without gaining weight or losing any fitness.&nbsp; If you want to join in the fun click the image above to hop over the Amanda's Run to the Finish.&nbsp; Make sure you let her know&nbsp;Shelly referred you to the challenge and we can help keep each other on the right trail or at least a little closer.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-52824072239492091652013-11-09T07:06:00.001-08:002013-11-09T07:06:10.344-08:00A Dream Come True<div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">My love for running started a long time ago.&nbsp; But for the majority of my running life I have been the only one running.&nbsp; I was either to fast or too slow.&nbsp; </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ji9-naV_bk/Un5Mm95p05I/AAAAAAAAIdc/YUF0uA_ZDlc/s1600/2013-11-07+14.09.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ji9-naV_bk/Un5Mm95p05I/AAAAAAAAIdc/YUF0uA_ZDlc/s320/2013-11-07+14.09.26.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">I can run <strong>lots </strong>of paces from snail to speedy...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">My routes were too far in the country, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A1Mms3o2yA4/Un5MgypqT_I/AAAAAAAAIdU/8b3Xi4cQWFg/s1600/2013-11-09+09.06.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A1Mms3o2yA4/Un5MgypqT_I/AAAAAAAAIdU/8b3Xi4cQWFg/s320/2013-11-09+09.06.12.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">who <strong>wouldn't </strong>want to run in wide open places?!?!...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">too early in the morning, too long, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HVXewCYW7r0/Un5Md7qvBiI/AAAAAAAAIdM/FsfmElvE2Ac/s1600/2013-11-09+09.05.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HVXewCYW7r0/Un5Md7qvBiI/AAAAAAAAIdM/FsfmElvE2Ac/s320/2013-11-09+09.05.43.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">I run 50 milers after all...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">too short, too hilly, too technical for those who lived close enough to me to join in <em>BUT</em> that has finally changed.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FHQvHByp1ok/Un5NFDTGQPI/AAAAAAAAIdk/Taykx3HDwDs/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FHQvHByp1ok/Un5NFDTGQPI/AAAAAAAAIdk/Taykx3HDwDs/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">My "big" <span style="font-size: x-small;">and much littler</span> sister has discovered a real gift and love of running.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">This morning we shared a chilly but chat-filled 10 mile run through Heaven as she ticked another set of goals off her already lengthy list of running accomplishment.&nbsp; Knowing all the gifts that running has given me, I couldn't be more proud and happier for all she has done for herself.&nbsp; And I'm giddy with the thought of what we may do together in the days to come.&nbsp; I look forward to the day that I'm chasing her to a finish line...and with her quickly growing strength and speed, that day may come very soon.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Until then I'll enjoy brainwashing her to leave the country road behind and head into the woods, up a mountain and through the leaves.&nbsp; I've got time, MMT isn't until May.&nbsp; I'm thinking I've got another pacer to help push me to that finish line...then I can help her see her first finish line in return.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><br /><div align="center"><em>﻿</em></div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-14414816918543425072013-11-04T06:27:00.002-08:002013-11-04T06:27:26.658-08:002013 Fire on the Mountain 50k Race Report<div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">&nbsp;</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">I struggled to find my way into dreamland as I listened to the wind blow outside my bedroom window.&nbsp; The challenge of little sleep isn't anything new when its the night before a race.&nbsp; After all my years of running and racing I am still filled with butterflies as the day approaches.&nbsp; So as I finally gave up on trying to grasp the&nbsp;elusive hand of sleep, I wasn't surprised to feel the flutter of anticipation as I dressed for the day ahead.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">&nbsp;</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">The house was quiet as I dressed.&nbsp; My family wasn't able to be with me for this race but had left me a note of encouragement.&nbsp; It was a great way to help settle the race day nerves.&nbsp;</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UmL0IHMC_4E/Um6hOolULPI/AAAAAAAAIaQ/qrBL4fU8a0Q/s1600/2013-10-26+16.51.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UmL0IHMC_4E/Um6hOolULPI/AAAAAAAAIaQ/qrBL4fU8a0Q/s320/2013-10-26+16.51.01.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: blue;"></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">&nbsp;I quickly made my way down the list of usual morning activities and headed out the door into the dark day that lay ahead.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-52tMg5-_lpQ/Um6jm18QcfI/AAAAAAAAIak/7Up6PaFXH-Y/s1600/2013-10-27+05.08.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-52tMg5-_lpQ/Um6jm18QcfI/AAAAAAAAIak/7Up6PaFXH-Y/s320/2013-10-27+05.08.15.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">&nbsp;The finish line is about 40 minutes from my house which makes this one of my favorite 50ks for yet another reason.&nbsp; My morning drive takes me along some beautiful rural roads as I slip out of Pennsylvania and into Maryland.&nbsp; I often see wildlife as I make the drive and this morning was not except.&nbsp; Several herds of deer, a porcupine, a very slow skunk and a fox all joined me in traveling the country roads in the early morning hour.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i60yUInQ_z0/UnalfduYFbI/AAAAAAAAIbE/oOb1wYUJS54/s1600/2013-10-26+18.39.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i60yUInQ_z0/UnalfduYFbI/AAAAAAAAIbE/oOb1wYUJS54/s320/2013-10-26+18.39.18.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">I pulled into the open field; which would serve as our parking lot, finish line and post party, with over 30 minutes to spare before we would need to board buses for the 20+ minute ride to the start line.&nbsp; I quickly checked in and returned to my car to gather my pack and quell&nbsp;the butterflies which had taken up residence in the pit of my stomach.&nbsp; But soon the buses arrived&nbsp;and we began the ride to the start line.&nbsp; I spent my ride chatting and listening to runners swap stories and race day predictions.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FLCyxsOJ3jw/UnanT_FJTCI/AAAAAAAAIbQ/fCiXQ01D9U0/s1600/2013-10-27+07.21.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FLCyxsOJ3jw/UnanT_FJTCI/AAAAAAAAIbQ/fCiXQ01D9U0/s320/2013-10-27+07.21.53.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Once we arrived at the over look I jogged down the trail to answer the first of many nature calls.&nbsp; The cool morning air was giving me a chill but the weather throughout the day would be as near perfect for running as any race day I've ever had.</span></div><span style="color: blue;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jj2cdRmUM0w/UnanU_CDqvI/AAAAAAAAIbU/4baPKAyfs6U/s1600/2013-10-27+07.22.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jj2cdRmUM0w/UnanU_CDqvI/AAAAAAAAIbU/4baPKAyfs6U/s320/2013-10-27+07.22.36.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The plan for the day was to attempt to better my time on the FOTM course from the challenging run I had experienced last year and if possible go for a course PR.&nbsp; I had only filled&nbsp;my hydration pack half way to keep it's weight to a minimum and planned to avoid stopping at most aid stations by fueling myself.&nbsp; As the minutes ticked down I reminded myself to run my own race.&nbsp; I chatted with a bunch of trail friends and meet a few who had read about Fire on the Mountain in my previous race reports.&nbsp; But the minutes ticked away until our race director, Kevin gave us final instructions.&nbsp; Something about remembering this was a trail race and general course description of Red trail; follow the ...RED blazes, Green trail; follow the .....GREEN blazes, fire roads; duh follow the road, Purple trail; follow the....PURPLE blazes&nbsp;and your done.&nbsp; Then we were off.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RpoLGS1UJ7Y/UnelOlQzrJI/AAAAAAAAIcA/MOTUQgLz1xw/s1600/2013-1027+FOTM+Dirt+road+start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RpoLGS1UJ7Y/UnelOlQzrJI/AAAAAAAAIcA/MOTUQgLz1xw/s320/2013-1027+FOTM+Dirt+road+start.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tPW3TC1qdKk/Unasr1CR1YI/AAAAAAAAIbo/f1flrelbevg/s1600/2013-10-27+10.45.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a>&nbsp;</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;"></span></span>&nbsp;</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;">Red </span>Trail</span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">FOTM starts with a quick mile-ish on a forest road.&nbsp; With 140 entrants (104 actual starters) this allows the field to spread out a bit before entering the technical single track that is the Red trail.&nbsp; As we weaved our way through the beginning of the Red trail I was struck with how much the footing <em>didn't </em>bother me.&nbsp; It seems that my time on the Massanutten trail has altered my definition of technical trail.&nbsp; The Red trail was by no means easy but it was largely runnable albeit my pace reflected the more challenging sections.&nbsp; </span></div><span style="color: blue;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JnuWe3BZHTA/UnasuXCHAVI/AAAAAAAAIbw/8K-qhjRX8UI/s1600/2013-10-27+10.45.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JnuWe3BZHTA/UnasuXCHAVI/AAAAAAAAIbw/8K-qhjRX8UI/s320/2013-10-27+10.45.47.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">&nbsp;&nbsp;During the first miles of the Red trail just before the first serious climb I was leading a group of runners when I couldn't ignore a familiar calling any longer.&nbsp; There is something about the woods in the Green Ridge State Forest that inspires me to get friendly with the trees.&nbsp; I had to run down a side trail to answer a nature call.&nbsp; Although I lost quite a few minutes I was certain I would be able to make up the time over the coming miles.&nbsp; I walked back up the side trail as another group of runner went past.&nbsp; The urge to rush past them crossed my mind but I reminded myself that I need to run my own race and focus on what I wanted out of the day.</span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The Red trail may now be one of my favorite sections of this race.&nbsp; Although it challenged me the trail kept giving me something new just when I needed it.&nbsp; First single track, then hills, then descents, a little mud, a creek crossing&nbsp;always something to keep my&nbsp;mind occupied.&nbsp;&nbsp;A&nbsp;chatted briefly with several trail brethren when my pace lined up with several others but for the majority of the race I would run alone.&nbsp; Every uphill seemed to have an equally daunting downhill but despite the fallen leaves I wasn't running as cautiously as in previous years.&nbsp; The acorns were all but absent on several down hill sections but the walnuts were plentiful in others.&nbsp; The Red trail provide a wide variety of things underfoot for runners to stumble over.&nbsp; I'm happy to report I traveled it unscathed. </span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Having so much fun, I didn't stop at the first aid station at all.&nbsp; Then at the second I grabbed a cup of coke and half a banana and ran off thanking the cheerful volunteers.&nbsp; </span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TTEEDegA6KA/UnelhucdRBI/AAAAAAAAIcY/jgeKtGUeoMM/s1600/2013-1027+Shelly+Red+Trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TTEEDegA6KA/UnelhucdRBI/AAAAAAAAIcY/jgeKtGUeoMM/s320/2013-1027+Shelly+Red+Trail.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: #274e13;"></span></span></strong>&nbsp;</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Green</span> Trail</span></strong></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">As Red turned to Green the theme went from single track goat trail to rocky root littered creek crossings.&nbsp; My mind wanders frequently while running the Green trail.&nbsp; At first I'm lost in memories of previous year's of the race.&nbsp; Remembering&nbsp;the first year when I got confused about the markings&nbsp;through the low laying section.&nbsp; This year I laugh at the memory of getting lost on what is one of the most well marked races I run.&nbsp; My internal laughter lights my spirits.&nbsp; I am alone during the majority of the race but I am filled with such happiness to once again be here that I often find myself talking out loud.&nbsp; I say a few prayers for those that can not be on the trails with me this day.&nbsp; I remember Michelle passing me through the Green section one year and think of her working on her own kind of marathon this year.&nbsp; My thoughts cover many people and things that have happened throughout the past year; the blessing of having my sister start running and fall in love with it, the new friend met and old ones lost, the birth of babies, the illness, the healings...&nbsp; My wind is given the gift of time to wander throughout this section as I splash across one stream after another.&nbsp; But&nbsp; soon I recognize the end of this section is near and the climb to the oasis aid station begins.&nbsp; I see that my mind wandering has slowed my pace and I arrive at the oasis later than I wanted on the clock but uplifted.</span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong><strong><span style="color: blue;">The Oasis</span></strong></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">This would be the only aid station that I stopped at for more than a minute.&nbsp; To this point I had only been fueling from my pack with the exception of a cup of coke and banana pieces.&nbsp; I always thanked the cheering volunteers as I went by the aid stations.&nbsp; Kevin, the RD had such a great group of volunteers helping throughout the course.&nbsp; Many of whom I would see at multiple aid stations.&nbsp; Having run the race every year, seeing them was almost like having family at each pit stop.&nbsp; Knowing that each and every one of them has given much more than just their day to help support me and the many other runners it feel inadequate to simply say thank you because without them this would just be another race.&nbsp; Their presence makes this race feel like a reunion of friends.&nbsp; Thank you to everyone who help guide the way, clear the trail, fuel my body, lift my spirits and fill my heart with all your acts of kindness.</span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;"></span></strong>&nbsp;</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Fire Roads</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="color: blue;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I left the oasis knowing the experiences I have had with the fire roads.&nbsp; So I wasted no time answering another nature call because I had plans to make up a bit of time on what becomes a very boring section.&nbsp; Well, what used to become a boring section.&nbsp; This year I ran the first mile setting up my music.&nbsp; I debated about using it.&nbsp; The sounds of nature are all part of why I am out there in the first place but I knew I need to run so I popped my ear buds in and well, I think I may have embarrassed or amused those I passed.&nbsp; I danced and sang my way through the forest roads.&nbsp; The look on the aid station volunteer's faces was priceless.&nbsp; I think they wanted to dance with me.&nbsp; I pause only to offer my thanks and grab a quarter of pbj.&nbsp; It's uphill as I leave the aid station and I know there is still far more rocky road to travel before hitting the purple trail so I take off cranking up my music to help drowned out the screams from my tired legs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Purple Trail</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-__3YhLUJfuc/Unelb7POs2I/AAAAAAAAIcQ/Qn6avlBtsq8/s1600/2013-1027+Shelly+Purple+Trail4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-__3YhLUJfuc/Unelb7POs2I/AAAAAAAAIcQ/Qn6avlBtsq8/s320/2013-1027+Shelly+Purple+Trail4.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If I was going to get sentimental I would have thought it would happen on the purple trail not the wet green trail.&nbsp; I remember a tree along the purple section very fondly although I'm sure it's still missing me as I didn't need to visit it this year.&nbsp; I remember a kind face at an aid station which appeared in the middle of no where.&nbsp; This that kind face was a familiar one too.&nbsp; Lindsay was behind the lens of her camera when a fellow runner and I approached.&nbsp; The aid station was moved slightly to a new overlook and there she was happily clicking away.&nbsp; (Thanks Lindsay for all the great shots!)&nbsp; She had been at several other spots along the course.&nbsp; Another unbelievable perk of this very amazing race, photos.&nbsp; I chatted with Lindsay and finally added a little water to my pack.&nbsp; A final nature call and we were off running again through the final miles of the race.&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sadly I broke my own rule in these last miles.&nbsp; Knowing that I was be very lucky to hit any time goals I had for the day, I hadn't looked at my watch since the Oasis.&nbsp; When my trail companion asked what mile we&nbsp;were at I wouldn't even look.&nbsp; Instead I said what a runner never wants to hear.&nbsp; I said, I think we are close.&nbsp; I must have said it three&nbsp;or four times.&nbsp; So to the young man who was victim to my cheery chattiness, I'm so sorry.&nbsp; (yes, I talked so much that I didn't even get his name)&nbsp; But we did make our way to that final hill&nbsp;which lead to the most beautiful clearing.&nbsp;&nbsp;The smell of the fire and the grill, the&nbsp;sounds of people talking and the cheers as the began to rise&nbsp;as we broke through the clearing were some of the best&nbsp;things of the day.&nbsp; I dropped my pack and was handed a piece of wood for the final victory lap around the&nbsp;edge of the clearing.&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kYvn8Fh8Yjo/Unelxl_3caI/AAAAAAAAIcg/LVtndVp7KIM/s1600/2013-1027+Shelly+Finish+line5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kYvn8Fh8Yjo/Unelxl_3caI/AAAAAAAAIcg/LVtndVp7KIM/s320/2013-1027+Shelly+Finish+line5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Time didn't matter anymore somewhere in these FOTM miles I found a new love for this course and the people who take part in it and those who support me so that I can be a part of something so special.&nbsp; </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1k2a7W5K-Ac/UnelVgTO13I/AAAAAAAAIcI/ELDj4s1N87M/s1600/2013-1027+Shelly+FOTM+Finish+line2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1k2a7W5K-Ac/UnelVgTO13I/AAAAAAAAIcI/ELDj4s1N87M/s200/2013-1027+Shelly+FOTM+Finish+line2.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It all started with one person telling me, "You&nbsp;can do that."&nbsp;&nbsp; I awoke to&nbsp;a tiny slip of paper.&nbsp; As I tossed the little piece of wood into the fire I thought about how big all these little things really are.&nbsp; Those encouraging words, a tiny note, a simple stick of wood.&nbsp; They all serve such a bigger purpose.&nbsp; Those little things all bound us together as family and friends.&nbsp; That's what FOTM is that other races are not.&nbsp; It's a family of trail runners coming home for a day together in the woods.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp; Maybe next year you will want to come home too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uuOhDzhJf7U/UnenAjbUmeI/AAAAAAAAIcw/cAYjw3lmWNA/s1600/2013-10-27+15.06.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uuOhDzhJf7U/UnenAjbUmeI/AAAAAAAAIcw/cAYjw3lmWNA/s320/2013-10-27+15.06.39.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">FOTM 2013</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">7:11</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4bZKkABDzVQ/Unem_zh4x2I/AAAAAAAAIcs/x59N-J9ThKE/s1600/2013-10-27+15.09.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4bZKkABDzVQ/Unem_zh4x2I/AAAAAAAAIcs/x59N-J9ThKE/s320/2013-10-27+15.09.43.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div></span><div align="center">﻿</div><div align="center">&nbsp;﻿</div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-29487096368195088732013-10-04T08:57:00.000-07:002013-10-04T09:51:16.653-07:002013 Mega - Run Report<div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Mega Xtreme 2013</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>The Beginning</strong></span></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">I saw that little red needle slide past more posted speed limits than is typical for my driving as I raced to the start line for the 2013 Megatransect.&nbsp; My driving was a result of needing to leave from my house the morning of the race instead of camping out as I did last year and the untimely waking of LBM as I was walking out the door.&nbsp; But a few moments of cuddling had LBM back in dream land and me out the door and headed into what might be the fastest miles of the day.</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">Thankfully I arrived safely and I prayed that would be the theme of the day.&nbsp;&nbsp;I quickly&nbsp;got my bib and&nbsp;visited a real bathroom one last time before I finally took a breath and joined the growing crowd of fellow Megatransectors at the start line.&nbsp; </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pLFS9DPz0A4/Uk3cfbzg8hI/AAAAAAAAIWQ/PAM_yNTmXBQ/s1600/2013-0928+Shelly+Dark+start+of+the+Mega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pLFS9DPz0A4/Uk3cfbzg8hI/AAAAAAAAIWQ/PAM_yNTmXBQ/s200/2013-0928+Shelly+Dark+start+of+the+Mega.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">My hasty arrival didn't really allow me to enjoy the pre-race activities that add to the Mega experience.&nbsp; The Mega offers over night campers and early arrivals a light breakfast, small expo and energizing party atmosphere.&nbsp;&nbsp;I did have just enough time to see a few trail friends.&nbsp; Nicole was able to find me just before the start.&nbsp; We had done the event together last year when her father was sidelined.&nbsp; Unfortunately 2013 found her dad sidelined again but she had a friend, Joel&nbsp;with her this year.&nbsp; We chatted before it was time to start running but with few words from our RD it was ready, set, GO!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://foxtrotrunners.com/"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7yBds7FVBw/Uk7xssEwZbI/AAAAAAAAIZA/G5ijgJDHLH0/s320/2013-0928+Nicole+and+Joel+on+trail+Mega.JPG" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://foxtrotrunners.com/">Nicole </a>and Joel tearing up the trails</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Country Roads</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">The Megatransect has a large field of runners for the amount of technical single track that the course covers.&nbsp; Happily it also has a few miles of country roads to help the field of runners spread out before entering the trails.&nbsp; The first three miles went quickly by as I weaved around runners trying to find my pace in the cool morning air.&nbsp; It's a perfect morning for running.&nbsp;&nbsp;As we start what will be a day full of climbing I'm rapidly remembering just how challenging this course will be as we leave the country roads and enter the trails.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: blue;">The Squeeze</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: blue;">aka Link Trail</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: blue;"></span></strong>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">If you remember my experience at the Mega last year (<a href="http://itsjustonefootinfrontoftheother.blogspot.com/2012/10/2012-megatransect-mega-x-race-report.html">HERE</a>) you will remember that the Link Trail was not my favorite portion of the race.&nbsp; Not because I didn't enjoy the mile climb or the two miles down.&nbsp; It was because of the number of trail runners and the different personalities of that many different trail runners all hitting the same technical single track at the same time.&nbsp; But in case you missed my opinion last year, I'll share it again.&nbsp; </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Trail Etiquette 101</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: blue;"></span></strong>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">If you find yourself on a trail nestled nicely into your own personal pace and that pace happens to be faster than those around you, it's not big deal.&nbsp; You simply announce your desire to pass the runner in front of you with a polite "on your left (or right)" to indicate which side you would like to pass on.&nbsp; Then it is the passing runner's responsibility to GET OVER and pass.&nbsp; <em>The exception to this <strong>passing runner gets over rule</strong> would be when the passing runner is running downhill&nbsp; then the uphill runner would yield and get over.&nbsp; </em>Don't even get me started on the use of headphones on trails...</span></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Back to the Trails</strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: blue;"></span></strong>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">On the Link trail, which is very technical and narrow, like many runners I had trouble finding a comfortable pace.&nbsp; The upside to the congestion and bad trail manners is that I found myself running with Nicole for a few miles.&nbsp; It was great to catch up as we passed the miles.&nbsp; But somewhere just shy of the boulder field I lost Nicole on a downhill and I was on my own to enjoy the scenery. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ynLte1Di2gE/Uk4G4YuseAI/AAAAAAAAIWg/-EgmNQgRfhw/s1600/2013-0928+Looking+up+at+boulder+field+Denny+Hummer+Photo+Mega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ynLte1Di2gE/Uk4G4YuseAI/AAAAAAAAIWg/-EgmNQgRfhw/s320/2013-0928+Looking+up+at+boulder+field+Denny+Hummer+Photo+Mega.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">The Boulder Field</span></strong></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Photo Overload</span></strong></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;"></span></strong>&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">If you have ever done the Mega you will understand my need to share so many photos.&nbsp; The boulders on the Mega course are without explanation.&nbsp; It is just a geological feature unique to the Mega and the reason many come time and time again to challenge themselves with what seems like a short easy day in the woods.</span></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r0xs_wSn41E/Uk4G432n_hI/AAAAAAAAIWk/7UsxFUNLqvg/s1600/2013-0928+Mid+boulder+field2+Mega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r0xs_wSn41E/Uk4G432n_hI/AAAAAAAAIWk/7UsxFUNLqvg/s320/2013-0928+Mid+boulder+field2+Mega.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">As challenging as the boulder fields are it is one of the few courses on which I feel like I might have at least been related to a few mountain goats in a previous life.&nbsp; I simply get giddy when I climb out of the tree line and see all those rocks!&nbsp; I paused briefly to snap a photo of some trail friends that I met last year at the Mega and I was off.</span></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FqSmwVraKzA/Uk4G_pKe3-I/AAAAAAAAIW4/46MsKexbZ78/s1600/2013-0928+Shelly+jumping+on+Boulders+Mega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FqSmwVraKzA/Uk4G_pKe3-I/AAAAAAAAIW4/46MsKexbZ78/s320/2013-0928+Shelly+jumping+on+Boulders+Mega.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Giddy with Mega excitement!</span></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D3KiEsfyB-E/Uk4G48TTIeI/AAAAAAAAIWo/fqLPyV8Jq0A/s1600/2013-0928+Shelly+mid+boulder+field+Mega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D3KiEsfyB-E/Uk4G48TTIeI/AAAAAAAAIWo/fqLPyV8Jq0A/s320/2013-0928+Shelly+mid+boulder+field+Mega.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">About half way to the top.</span></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IYY-D5nQXdw/Uk4HC4D1cpI/AAAAAAAAIXA/5E1BAuUOLo4/s1600/2013-0928+Shelly+on+Boulders+Mega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IYY-D5nQXdw/Uk4HC4D1cpI/AAAAAAAAIXA/5E1BAuUOLo4/s320/2013-0928+Shelly+on+Boulders+Mega.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Rattlesnake Ridge to First Aid Station</span></strong></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">With the excitement of the boulder field behind me I wanted to quickly get through the next section which I knew was along a very narrow ridge line for about a half mile before a rocky decent to the first aid station.&nbsp; Once&nbsp;I was through the initial congestion of single track I was able to pass a few runners and get into a more comfortable pace.&nbsp; I chatted probably more than my fellow trail companions wanted&nbsp;as we made our way into the first aid station.&nbsp; At the aid station I topped my pack off with water, grabbed a banana section and was happily told there was a "make-shift" toilet.&nbsp; I had been trying to ignore the fact that all my morning rushing had resulted in a very upset stomach and I had hopes that a potty stop would settle the issue.&nbsp; It did not.&nbsp; I left the aid station still not feeling well and under fueled.</span></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">"More Runnable"</span></strong></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The next section was through an area that was considered more runnable.&nbsp;&nbsp;One of the words that was floated around in the weeks prior to the event was more runnable.&nbsp; I think that more runnable would only apply if&nbsp;you had much strength left in your legs after the first challenging section.&nbsp; I did enjoy the softness under foot as I ran my way into the next aid station.&nbsp; At the aid station (about 14 miles) I was hoping for some caffeine to help take the edge off my increasing stomach pains.&nbsp; I had not been drinking much water since refilling at the first full aid station.&nbsp; The water had an off taste to me and I worried that it was adding to my upset stomach.&nbsp; A wonderful volunteer offered me her coke since the aid stations didn't have any soda.&nbsp; I thought the gesture was amazing but I declined taking her up on it.&nbsp; It was a great example of how amazing the aid station volunteers were all along the course.&nbsp; I ate more banana, had some grapes and a piece of peanut butter sandwich.&nbsp; Then I saw another nice feature of the Mega - port-a-potties!&nbsp; I'm not above a nature call but when it's just not your best running day a "real" bathroom is a wonderful thing!&nbsp; </span></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Water Crossings</span></strong></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;"></span></strong>&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The next section which would take us back to the first full aid station (on return around 17.5 miles)&nbsp;would add a repeating element into the Mega mix, <strong>water</strong>.&nbsp; Lots of water crossings.&nbsp; This is an element I love!&nbsp; The majority of this new section featured some very soft footing.&nbsp; After running on rocks and roots even short distances without having to watch every step helped me feel like I was flying along the trail.&nbsp; That was until I got lost in my head and quickly found myself rolling down the trail thanks to a nearly invisible little root that grabbed my toe.</span></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MruAsmP4eM4/Uk6_b0LGJAI/AAAAAAAAIXY/0KYy6nYs_3A/s1600/2013-0928+Nearing+waterfall+New+section2+Mega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MruAsmP4eM4/Uk6_b0LGJAI/AAAAAAAAIXY/0KYy6nYs_3A/s320/2013-0928+Nearing+waterfall+New+section2+Mega.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">But the amazing sights along the way quickly removed any lingering aches from my tumble.</span></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DxbjwAJaqps/Uk6_cpVlvdI/AAAAAAAAIXo/kMDkXh8Hniw/s400/2013-0928+waterfall2+Mega.jpg" width="300" /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;">The waterfalls were amazing.&nbsp; The photographer inside me wanted to spend some serious time documenting the beauty but a few hasty shots&nbsp; of the falls and a few shots for fellow runners were all I indulged in.&nbsp; </span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">&nbsp;</div><br /><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">GIANT STEPS &amp; ROTE OVERLOOK</span></strong></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-exaIu0VZRSk/Uk7CFQwTmcI/AAAAAAAAIX8/-VfOWERZPjc/s1600/2013-0928+Forest+trail+climb+Mega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-exaIu0VZRSk/Uk7CFQwTmcI/AAAAAAAAIX8/-VfOWERZPjc/s320/2013-0928+Forest+trail+climb+Mega.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The Giant Steps were as amazing as last year.&nbsp; My legs were already feeling the combined effects of the 50 miles I stupidly ran in the days before the Mega and climbs and descents I had already covered on the course.&nbsp; &nbsp;Much of this year's Mega I spent running solo.&nbsp; I would fall in and out of little groups of trail brethren.&nbsp; I shared my cheeriness with many new trail friends as I made my way along the course.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_0KjS0-ZhTc/Uk7CEzcTNOI/AAAAAAAAIX0/EOBf-o-JvCg/s1600/2013-0928+Shelly+on+Forest+trail+climb+Mega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_0KjS0-ZhTc/Uk7CEzcTNOI/AAAAAAAAIX0/EOBf-o-JvCg/s200/2013-0928+Shelly+on+Forest+trail+climb+Mega.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">A genuine smile!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aw9UOFArMi4/Uk7CE5qMGXI/AAAAAAAAIX4/X-GKQ0CFeC8/s1600/2013-0928+View2+Mega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aw9UOFArMi4/Uk7CE5qMGXI/AAAAAAAAIX4/X-GKQ0CFeC8/s320/2013-0928+View2+Mega.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">I knew as I paused to take in the view that there was still at least one big challenge before exiting the trails so I didn't waste much time before getting back on the move.&nbsp; I had fallen in with a couple runners but I quickly had to pick the pace back up and run my own race.&nbsp; Beside my cheerfulness is sometimes best shared in small doses.&nbsp; A speedy downhill run on the Luge Trail quickly had me entering the final aid station.</span></div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Aid Stations</span></strong></div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LNO_s89ohZ4/Uk7p5QegdDI/AAAAAAAAIYU/jlUQqp6fKEY/s1600/2013-0928+Last+Aid+Station+Food+Mega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LNO_s89ohZ4/Uk7p5QegdDI/AAAAAAAAIYU/jlUQqp6fKEY/s320/2013-0928+Last+Aid+Station+Food+Mega.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">I have to pause for a moment to comment on the aid stations and volunteers that help make the Mega the amazing event it is year after year.&nbsp; Every volunteer was cheerful and helpful.&nbsp; There was the usual ultra goodies.&nbsp; Since it was an off tummy day for me during the majority of the run, I stuck to my own fuel bars, bananas, grapes and a few squares of peanut butter sandwiches.&nbsp; </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VF7Kr0qHzS0/Uk7p5T1aKUI/AAAAAAAAIYY/IVfdt-Dal50/s1600/2013-0928+Last+Aid+Station+Mega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VF7Kr0qHzS0/Uk7p5T1aKUI/AAAAAAAAIYY/IVfdt-Dal50/s320/2013-0928+Last+Aid+Station+Mega.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">RAW TRAIL, LINK TRAIL &amp; GREEN MILE</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="color: blue;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">I had picked up some natural hiking poles (since I had proven my brilliance and left mine in the back of my car) and they quickly became useful as I left the aid station and begin the journey through the Raw Trail.&nbsp; Many Megatransectors will say that the Raw Trail is terrible which it is really challenging but pushing myself to keep my pace up as my heart rate soars is one of my favorite parts of ultra trail running.&nbsp; Those around me grumbled as we made our way up and through the climb.&nbsp; Just when runner think they have reached the top the climb continues.&nbsp; For me that only added to my giddiness, as I would tire I would around at all the amazing beauty I was surrounded in and just like that, I was pushing to see what was coming next!&nbsp; I didn't stop for photos or even a look back knowing that once I was at the top I had a wonderful downhill run to pick up some speed.&nbsp; The second time through the Link Trail is always a much better experience than the first.&nbsp; Every climb is now a decent, every decent is now a climb but the drive to push is so much stronger without the crowd of runners and with the knowledge of just how close the finish was.&nbsp; And there it was that short forest road leading us back to the country roads we traveled to start this Mega adventure.&nbsp; </span></div><span style="color: blue;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">&nbsp;</span></div><span style="color: blue;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was running alone and chatted with those I passed as I made my way down the road, around the corner, across the bridge and to the dreaded "green mile".&nbsp; Those who have run with me know that I was filled with "woohoos" as I made my way up to the top of the grassy hillside only to cruise back down and run the longest mile of the race.&nbsp; The scenery was amazing.&nbsp; Across the field I watched the mountain grow up into the sky as I ran.&nbsp; I thought about where we had been on that mountain side.&nbsp; although my legs and lungs were burning I already missed it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ipXraVzs3YY/Uk7sjvoAdOI/AAAAAAAAIYs/ASyRa62LHXI/s1600/2013-0928+Finishers+Medal+Mega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ipXraVzs3YY/Uk7sjvoAdOI/AAAAAAAAIYs/ASyRa62LHXI/s320/2013-0928+Finishers+Medal+Mega.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A last push around the parking lot to the finish line and what began as a race to the start line finished the same way.&nbsp; Sorry to those I passed as I gave my last push of the day but I wanted to finish the day the same way I had started.&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JDRnPl1BieY/Uk7sjPPObxI/AAAAAAAAIYo/TF8ecS7m9_U/s1600/2013-0928+Shelly+at+Finish+Mega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JDRnPl1BieY/Uk7sjPPObxI/AAAAAAAAIYo/TF8ecS7m9_U/s320/2013-0928+Shelly+at+Finish+Mega.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></span><br /><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Mega Xtreme 2013 - 8:08</span></div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: blue;"></span></em>&nbsp;</div><div align="center" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: blue;">Did I miss something?&nbsp; Did we run together?&nbsp; Tell me what I should add.</span></em></div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-27173770050591875952013-09-06T09:23:00.001-07:002013-09-06T09:23:13.300-07:00Wondering....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">Have you been</div><div align="center">&nbsp;wondering what I've been up to?!?!</div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5YTY7JaaHU/Uin8pS2pTKI/AAAAAAAAIVs/cDeCnF4wr94/s1600/Done+-+The+Ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5YTY7JaaHU/Uin8pS2pTKI/AAAAAAAAIVs/cDeCnF4wr94/s320/Done+-+The+Ring.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">Oh just running a little race called the Ring.&nbsp; </div><div align="center">71 bad a## miles of Massanutten ruggedness.&nbsp; </div><div align="center">Only 121 other people have <em><strong>ever</strong></em> finished it.&nbsp; </div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">And I did it all for a sticker...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kluf_VGqa90/UioA3BNV9XI/AAAAAAAAIV8/0HxUF8GC5xw/s1600/Ring+Sticker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kluf_VGqa90/UioA3BNV9XI/AAAAAAAAIV8/0HxUF8GC5xw/s320/Ring+Sticker.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and a pin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JUYLeN80QJw/UioA3O6RydI/AAAAAAAAIV4/Iyu0b5vdBuU/s1600/Ring+Pin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JUYLeN80QJw/UioA3O6RydI/AAAAAAAAIV4/Iyu0b5vdBuU/s320/Ring+Pin.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">Come back soon for the long version&nbsp;of events.</div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-82445403315526803092013-08-16T11:20:00.000-07:002013-08-16T11:22:05.572-07:00A look behind to see ahead<div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">As a trail runner one thing you quickly learn is to <strong>not</strong> look back.&nbsp; Looking behind almost always causes you to stumble and fall.&nbsp; Then you lose momentum and, at times, have trouble starting back up again.&nbsp; But there are times when it's safe and even beneficial to look back and take in the path you have already traveled. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-98JqstMIceU/Ug5iRML0mVI/AAAAAAAAIVA/OtJx88HCge0/s1600/2013-0804+Shenandoah+Skyline+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-98JqstMIceU/Ug5iRML0mVI/AAAAAAAAIVA/OtJx88HCge0/s320/2013-0804+Shenandoah+Skyline+view.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">As I was running this morning I was in a nostalgic frame of mind because today is my firstborns&nbsp; birthday.&nbsp; It was difficult to reduce to a few words what I wanted to say to him.&nbsp; Those words were something like the first words he and I shared together, private.&nbsp; Because I'm old fashioned like that.&nbsp; But the walk down memory lane got me thinking about where I've been in different&nbsp;aspects of my life.&nbsp; Of course, running was one of them.&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">With that it's time for a&nbsp;numbers update: 2095.4 miles for the year. Day 1195 of the streak. 10,497.6 streak miles.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">Now that I've looked back it's time to look forward.&nbsp;&nbsp;Often I remind the biggest of my littles that he needs to remember where he has been but have a plan for the direction he wants to move forward in.&nbsp; The same is true for me.&nbsp; Let's see where I'm going in the days ahead</span>.</div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">In 15 days I will be running <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/news/theRing">The Ring</a>.&nbsp; This is 71 miles on the Massanutten trail.&nbsp; The reason I am running it three fold.&nbsp; 1.&nbsp; I need to get past a mileage barrier I feel I have created for myself.&nbsp; 2. It will be the first on many runs to prepare myself for another MMT 100.&nbsp; 3.&nbsp; The Massanutten trails are calling me back.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CmSFSP5IB10/UGmhYS9HtqI/AAAAAAAAFQM/VEjcW9ajTAU/s1600/20120929+Shelly+Close+up+on+Boulder+Field+Mega+X.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CmSFSP5IB10/UGmhYS9HtqI/AAAAAAAAFQM/VEjcW9ajTAU/s320/20120929+Shelly+Close+up+on+Boulder+Field+Mega+X.jpg" width="211" /></a><br />&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">In 42 days I will be running the Mega.&nbsp; <a href="http://itsjustonefootinfrontoftheother.blogspot.com/2012/10/2012-megatransect-mega-x-race-report.html">The Mega</a> is about a 27ish mile climb in PA.&nbsp; It is a course like no other I've ever been on.&nbsp; It offers an element - boulder climbing - that&nbsp;I don't get anywhere else.&nbsp; </span><br /><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y7ZCS1OSvhE/UI_4Fo3fJtI/AAAAAAAAFvM/hYD-ZGkyy_U/s1600/20121028_153312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y7ZCS1OSvhE/UI_4Fo3fJtI/AAAAAAAAFvM/hYD-ZGkyy_U/s320/20121028_153312.jpg" width="240" /></a></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">In 71 days I'll be back again for <a href="http://itsjustonefootinfrontoftheother.blogspot.com/2011/11/fire-on-mountain-trail-50k-race-report.html">FOTM</a>.&nbsp; That's the <a href="http://itsjustonefootinfrontoftheother.blogspot.com/2010/11/fire-on-mountain-marathon-race-report.html">50k</a> in <a href="http://itsjustonefootinfrontoftheother.blogspot.com/2012/10/2012-fire-on-mountain-race-report.html">MD</a> that has an unexpectedly challenging course.&nbsp; It's low key, real ultra trail running feel always makes me feel like a bada## when I finish it.&nbsp; Plus this race was one of the first races I really found trail running peace during.&nbsp; I go back year after year to find it again.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JlymT1na0Is/UKuDBbyEx1I/AAAAAAAAGPI/TfGKhNO8fgk/s1600/2012-1117+Stone+Mill+Pro+Shot2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JlymT1na0Is/UKuDBbyEx1I/AAAAAAAAGPI/TfGKhNO8fgk/s320/2012-1117+Stone+Mill+Pro+Shot2.jpg" width="212" /></a></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">In 91 days I'll be back again for the <a href="http://itsjustonefootinfrontoftheother.blogspot.com/2011/11/stone-mill-50-miler-race-report.html">Stone Mill</a> <a href="http://itsjustonefootinfrontoftheother.blogspot.com/2012/11/stone-mill-50-miler-race-report.html">50 miler</a>.&nbsp; This could be the year that Lesley at <a href="http://racingitoff.blogspot.com/">Racing It Off</a>&nbsp;joins me for some very supported fun.&nbsp; Although with those long legs of hers and her killer racing lately she may&nbsp;been at the finish before me.&nbsp; If she is she'd better get some great finish line photos of me.&nbsp;</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">Sprinkled in between these dates are a hand full of training runs for different races and of course my daily running streak continues.&nbsp; So it's a trail without end.&nbsp; It's a race without a victory.&nbsp; There will be no finisher's medal or golden buckle for reaching an end point.&nbsp; I have not ultimate destination.&nbsp; The trails just continues and as long as I keep feeling that pull to see what is around the next bend or over that hill, I will continue to run forward.&nbsp; No matter the pace I will continue to see what draws me to those place that are just beyond where my eyes can see.</span></div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-39531865278206941142013-08-12T10:58:00.002-07:002013-08-12T10:58:31.436-07:00A Day in Shenandoah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-49K5BWAIQpE/UgkZTCDS5XI/AAAAAAAAISY/CXUtxC2sntc/s1600/2013-0804+Buck+Hollow+Marker+Shenandoah+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-49K5BWAIQpE/UgkZTCDS5XI/AAAAAAAAISY/CXUtxC2sntc/s320/2013-0804+Buck+Hollow+Marker+Shenandoah+Run.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">I had to wait 8 hours to see that our starting point was marked by this wonderful little concrete trail marker thanks to the hour of darkness when we started our adventure.&nbsp; But it had been there marking the place where we began the long climb up to introduce my body back to serious trail running.</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E6DYxtfWN6U/UgkZTHwa1qI/AAAAAAAAISg/19RpLulV5Pc/s1600/2013-0804+Diane+Harry+and+Dogs+Shenandoah+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E6DYxtfWN6U/UgkZTHwa1qI/AAAAAAAAISg/19RpLulV5Pc/s320/2013-0804+Diane+Harry+and+Dogs+Shenandoah+Run.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">Happily I was not alone but again in the fun company of D, hubby and their wonderful dogs.&nbsp; After a crazy start to the morning with some forgotten trail shoes, I was quickly thrown back into the arms of those wonderfully taxing trails I have missed so much over the summer.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t81Boi1X9lI/UgkZVY243UI/AAAAAAAAITM/CPo_UjVv7_Y/s1600/2013-0804+Rocky+Climb+Shenandoah+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t81Boi1X9lI/UgkZVY243UI/AAAAAAAAITM/CPo_UjVv7_Y/s320/2013-0804+Rocky+Climb+Shenandoah+Run.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Running a local trail for an hour or so is nothing like carrying your supplies for an 8 hour run.&nbsp; The excitement of being out there again was quickly replaced with the reminder of how punishing those climbs - and descents - can be.&nbsp; Unfortunately D even reminded me how quickly things can get serious by being the first to take a fall during our run.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wUzEpiBEH88/UgkZUowV86I/AAAAAAAAISw/mEXxjbXebTo/s1600/2013-0804+Flowers+Shenandoah+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wUzEpiBEH88/UgkZUowV86I/AAAAAAAAISw/mEXxjbXebTo/s320/2013-0804+Flowers+Shenandoah+Run.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The weather was prefect.&nbsp; It was hard to imagine that it was August in Virginia.&nbsp; Although my legs were rapidly questioning how I will be <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/news/theRing">Ring</a> read by the end of the month, I was too caught up in loving being on the trail to really give much voice to those words of doubt.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33ipDmaVNe4/UgkZWnKFBiI/AAAAAAAAITQ/ZkDlp3tszC4/s1600/2013-0804+Shelly+coming+down+stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33ipDmaVNe4/UgkZWnKFBiI/AAAAAAAAITQ/ZkDlp3tszC4/s320/2013-0804+Shelly+coming+down+stairs.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">D happily snapped photos of me dealing with all the abuses of the trail as I was lost in getting to see some new sites.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3_zvRwNXsSQ/UgkZWO5PLCI/AAAAAAAAITA/KV_SlouH6gE/s1600/2013-0804+Shelly+Shenandoah+run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3_zvRwNXsSQ/UgkZWO5PLCI/AAAAAAAAITA/KV_SlouH6gE/s320/2013-0804+Shelly+Shenandoah+run.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The climbs up were completely worth it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KJM9X1-gENs/UgkZXsFP83I/AAAAAAAAITk/XdFDEXHYI3M/s1600/2013-0804+Shelly+with+big+Shenandoan+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KJM9X1-gENs/UgkZXsFP83I/AAAAAAAAITk/XdFDEXHYI3M/s320/2013-0804+Shelly+with+big+Shenandoan+view.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">One of many reasons I love ultra running is getting to see these amazing places.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2RHft2nXw30/UgkZXQHwW0I/AAAAAAAAITY/EgnGR1rv7tY/s1600/2013-0804+Shelly+snapping+nature+photo+with+Diane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2RHft2nXw30/UgkZXQHwW0I/AAAAAAAAITY/EgnGR1rv7tY/s320/2013-0804+Shelly+snapping+nature+photo+with+Diane.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">And having friends who tolerate my nature loving side while in the midst of a training run doesn't hurt either.&nbsp; Thankfully, D waited to indulge my nature photo ops.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AyjjeUaR6to/UgkZYB1CIPI/AAAAAAAAITo/wbYpYWdXPiw/s1600/2013-0804+Shelly+with+views.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AyjjeUaR6to/UgkZYB1CIPI/AAAAAAAAITo/wbYpYWdXPiw/s320/2013-0804+Shelly+with+views.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">And she captured awesome views like this one.</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PSRfsLOdC2Q/UgkZY7WEYII/AAAAAAAAITw/jdIRq_3J-AA/s1600/2013-0804+Shenandoah+Skyline+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PSRfsLOdC2Q/UgkZY7WEYII/AAAAAAAAITw/jdIRq_3J-AA/s320/2013-0804+Shenandoah+Skyline+view.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">While I was enjoying this one.&nbsp; But all too quickly our time on the trail was over.&nbsp; My first - and potentially only - training run for the Ring.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M4VgCnRKm2g/UgkZTHtOOKI/AAAAAAAAISc/agYevUu5xVg/s1600/2013-0804+Butterflies+Shenandoah+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M4VgCnRKm2g/UgkZTHtOOKI/AAAAAAAAISc/agYevUu5xVg/s320/2013-0804+Butterflies+Shenandoah+Run.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">How fitting the we found these butterflies at the end of our run.&nbsp; Ones like these had fluttered by us all day.&nbsp; A few butterflies had been hurt probably ran over while they gathering salt from some sports drink dumped on the ground but others kept gathering there taking no lesson from their injured brethren.&nbsp; It made me think of the craziness of trail running.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQGUZ04P9WE/UgkZUKHSh9I/AAAAAAAAIS8/kD5gdcmypyM/s1600/2013-0804+Done+Legs+Shenandoah+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQGUZ04P9WE/UgkZUKHSh9I/AAAAAAAAIS8/kD5gdcmypyM/s200/2013-0804+Done+Legs+Shenandoah+Run.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">I will blindly continue wanting to do these crazy things even though I see the carnage around me.&nbsp; There is something more powerfully beautiful drawing me forward and making my eyes only see the&nbsp;wonder.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z5zZWczZ2qs/UgkZUaPnhRI/AAAAAAAAIS0/rjOk0q_zPak/s1600/2013-0804+Done+Shenandoah+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z5zZWczZ2qs/UgkZUaPnhRI/AAAAAAAAIS0/rjOk0q_zPak/s320/2013-0804+Done+Shenandoah+Run.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">﻿</div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-90807248410821289122013-08-10T04:00:00.000-07:002013-08-10T04:00:04.561-07:00B Words<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">This past week has been full of the B word.&nbsp; Yeah, thanks to all the worrying about LBM's school situation I did loads of B####ing.&nbsp; But there were actually several other B words that seemed to be really prevalent in our week.&nbsp;</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yeHTGNPehfk/Uf1NR5_IXeI/AAAAAAAAIRs/snIZE5h9QAM/s1600/20130731_161134.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yeHTGNPehfk/Uf1NR5_IXeI/AAAAAAAAIRs/snIZE5h9QAM/s1600/20130731_161134.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">BUGS</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">LBM has been on a mission this week to discover all the bugs around the house.&nbsp; Of course that is a fun science lesson but at this time of year those little critters have often grown!&nbsp; We won't be catching this guy anymore.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DYyY6EoqlTM/Uf1NRvrGK1I/AAAAAAAAIRo/e6x0kJgyHNU/s1600/20130801_192510.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DYyY6EoqlTM/Uf1NRvrGK1I/AAAAAAAAIRo/e6x0kJgyHNU/s1600/20130801_192510.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">BEGGING</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">With the approach of kindergarten LBM has started being responsible for certain chores around the house.&nbsp; He earns a small allowance that he is practicing budgeting his money for his&nbsp;"wants".&nbsp; But that hasn't stopped his previous behavior of using his puppy face to beg for things.&nbsp; I didn't cave <span style="font-size: xx-small;">this time</span> but darn he is so cute!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DPG3gmU17wk/Uf1NR2tvfhI/AAAAAAAAIRw/og8tcjXhY_U/s1600/20130803_094038.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DPG3gmU17wk/Uf1NR2tvfhI/AAAAAAAAIRw/og8tcjXhY_U/s1600/20130803_094038.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">BLOOMS</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">My garden and flower beds have been a botanistic inspiration this week with beautiful blooms every morning.&nbsp; If you follow me on FB or Instagram you are probably sick of the daily bloom bombs.&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">But maybe you are also inspired for notice a few of the B words in your day too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">﻿</div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-58870988306531518742013-08-09T08:49:00.002-07:002013-08-09T08:49:26.791-07:00The Letter<div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">Many moments in life are challenging.&nbsp; I often hear myself complain about silly things like socks on the floor or toothpaste on the counter.&nbsp; But I know my life is a blessing and I have only rarely lived a truly challenging day.&nbsp; I know those days have helped to make me a better human being so I count even them as blessings.&nbsp; </span></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">This past week has been a difficult one.&nbsp; I gave&nbsp;little things the power to begin to overwhelm me.&nbsp; The approach of the school year became no longer an annual event but a catalytic phenomenon&nbsp;heralding the end of life as I know it.&nbsp;&nbsp;So as I was going to return a movie, which I had used as an escape from my seemingly overwhelming life, I stopped by the mailbox.&nbsp; On my way I practiced what I would say to the super secret spy when he discovered I had not talked to the new superintendent about LBM's school reassignment.&nbsp; I practiced telling him how I was certain that if she talked with me instead of him, I would somehow ruin LBM's chance to go to the school we had been planning and preparing to go to.&nbsp; But when I opened the mailbox I saw <strong>it</strong> had arrived.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n8a1Mp24bgs/UgULmX_QJDI/AAAAAAAAISI/ecN0lQTAQw8/s1600/LETTER.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n8a1Mp24bgs/UgULmX_QJDI/AAAAAAAAISI/ecN0lQTAQw8/s320/LETTER.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">The letter.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">It was the response to my written application for the reassignment.&nbsp; As I read those words, "...<strong>has been approved</strong>..."&nbsp; honestly tears filled my eyes and I felt 20 pounds lighter.&nbsp; I couldn't believe how emotionally invested I had become worrying about what another change might do to LBM and all the great progress we have made.&nbsp; I couldn't be happier that we can continue as planned and will be able to be active and involved with LBM's school.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">With only a handful of days to go before school starts, there's lots to do to be ready to this milestone and then, well and then I guess I'll be left with nothing to stop me from remembering that there are days, those few days&nbsp;that are <em><strong>really</strong></em> challenging.&nbsp; Some of those days life has just given me and some of those days I have chosen.&nbsp; And one of those days is right around the corner.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/news/theRing">THE RING</a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">August 31st</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: blue;">71.1 Miles of mountains fun.</span></div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-3679270039917123952013-07-26T07:22:00.004-07:002013-07-26T07:22:59.478-07:00Wonderful Fair Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BqNWEOnm2PQ/UfKAuekqUvI/AAAAAAAAIQY/_GREqOThU6E/20130725_171734.png" /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;">The weather has been nearly perfect this week for my local home town fair.&nbsp; We are usually guaranteed a week of rain during the fair but this week only one night had any rain at all.&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xfdc6Ma4XBg/UfKC6L1kyyI/AAAAAAAAIQ4/vUvCN26VAOE/s1600/20130723_180615.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xfdc6Ma4XBg/UfKC6L1kyyI/AAAAAAAAIQ4/vUvCN26VAOE/s1600/20130723_180615.png" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;">We indulgenced in not so Whole30 fair treats.&nbsp;</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t8EMg7AJ5rE/UfKCo4Vt0oI/AAAAAAAAIQo/o8IU380bITc/s1600/20130721_103144.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t8EMg7AJ5rE/UfKCo4Vt0oI/AAAAAAAAIQo/o8IU380bITc/s1600/20130721_103144.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">I volunteered in the Senior Arts department </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Izc9R71kmvM/UfKCpf0nAUI/AAAAAAAAIQw/WMq4D_2oSz4/s1600/20130725_195138.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Izc9R71kmvM/UfKCpf0nAUI/AAAAAAAAIQw/WMq4D_2oSz4/s1600/20130725_195138.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">We made memories with great friends</span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">&nbsp;</div><br /><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LIgMp5TZu0U/UfKAonWqp9I/AAAAAAAAIPw/dL2x81Ka0gw/20130725_171750.png" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">We rode and rode and rode...</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8mnWpo0EwC4/UfKAppQpy_I/AAAAAAAAIP4/H6PtYsOFAsE/20130724_195101.png" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">We got to see some beautiful animals.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The week has been very full, tiring and family focused and that is what has made it such a great week.&nbsp; It will be hard to see it end and our thoughts go back to preparing for school and a return to racing but just like that summer seems to be slipping away.&nbsp; I'm so glad for crazy busy weeks like this one when we have made such wonderful memories.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><em>Tell me about your hometown&nbsp; fair.&nbsp; Do you take your kids now?&nbsp; </em></span></div></div></div></div></div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-85989183105304326332013-07-25T08:34:00.000-07:002013-07-25T08:34:33.091-07:00CFEs, Rural Life and a Perfect Moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">It started as an off run.&nbsp; You know that feeling when you legs and your mind just don't seem to speak each other's language.&nbsp; My back was sore, my hamstrings tight and my mind just wasn't into it.&nbsp; But there are many days when my runs are a struggle to get started and end up being blissfully sweet in the end.&nbsp; So I pushed on feeling like a slug.</span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="351" scrolling="no" src="http://movies.yahoo.com/video/epic-no-shell-over-153034701.html?format=embed&amp;player_autoplay=false" width="624"></iframe></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">As I pushed up the first long steep hill it started.&nbsp; A feeling most every runner has felt, often at the most inopportune times.&nbsp; We try to ignore it but sooner or later we are all reduced by that stomach sickening feeling of needing to find a bathroom...now</span>.</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q392YH97A4Y/UfE3cKG4vNI/AAAAAAAAIPI/wJiGQwc5eao/s1600/20130725+Shelly+post+run.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q392YH97A4Y/UfE3cKG4vNI/AAAAAAAAIPI/wJiGQwc5eao/s1600/20130725+Shelly+post+run.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">My run continued up that hill and the next and the next but finally at the end of a long decline I made a sharp right turn into the corn field to cop a squat.&nbsp; A corn field emergency.&nbsp; They may not be very glamorous but growing up a farm kid they just a part of the way we lived.&nbsp; Outside.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--DHSVmix0iM/UfE3chq0o4I/AAAAAAAAIPU/dqNPWwssFBo/s1600/20130725+PA+cornfield.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--DHSVmix0iM/UfE3chq0o4I/AAAAAAAAIPU/dqNPWwssFBo/s1600/20130725+PA+cornfield.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">It was much easier to duck among the corn stalks than run into the house when we were in the midst of the hours spent outside playing anything and everything with nothing.&nbsp; I want that simple life mentality for my kids too.&nbsp; They have been getting big doses of that these past weeks.&nbsp; Playing in the corn fields, spending our days outside, visiting with family that includes other beyond the family we created and giving out time to help our community.&nbsp; It makes me giddy to see my children enjoying the same things I enjoyed as a child.&nbsp; This is the life I wish we could live every single day.&nbsp; </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ao6o-h8m3-A/UfE3cccSlEI/AAAAAAAAIPM/0kQ8Pq5tP-M/s1600/20130725+PA+butterfly+bush.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ao6o-h8m3-A/UfE3cccSlEI/AAAAAAAAIPM/0kQ8Pq5tP-M/s1600/20130725+PA+butterfly+bush.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">&nbsp;As I sit outside in my backyard watching LBM run barefoot between excitedly watching the farmer teet the hay and running through the rows of corn, I'm afraid to move.&nbsp; As if some how I will disturb the perfection in this moment.&nbsp; So for now I'll sit here in my still sweaty running clothes watching my children live a perfect&nbsp;childhood day.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nj2luz_r1d8/UfE3dl-MGzI/AAAAAAAAIPg/63_LTIRkdMQ/s1600/20130725+Sun+Flower.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nj2luz_r1d8/UfE3dl-MGzI/AAAAAAAAIPg/63_LTIRkdMQ/s1600/20130725+Sun+Flower.png" /></a></div><div align="center">﻿</div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-22796739539517745232013-07-24T15:33:00.001-07:002013-07-24T17:59:29.607-07:00I Finally Changed My Shirt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q59-UCWx91A/UfB36vx84MI/AAAAAAAAIOI/QRU5uqkVtec/PhotoGrid_1374713807008.png" /></div><br /><br /><div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">If you follow me on FaceBook, Twitter and instagram - and why wouldn't you - you have probably wondered why did the past week and a half I have only been seen in one pink stripped tank top.&nbsp; I did try running in a cotton tank one day and I still have the chafe marks to prove it.</span><br /><span style="color: blue;"></span><br /><span style="color: blue;">Well I'm here today much to those around me when I run to say I finally changed my shirt.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">It was finally cool enough to wear my Virginia Happy Trail Runners Club blue shirt.&nbsp; Thanks goodness because those were the only two running shirts I packed.&nbsp; </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RIGK5SwYmEI/UfBWO4ro0kI/AAAAAAAAIN4/_AGI9kEF7Nc/PhotoGrid_1374676729284.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;"><img border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RIGK5SwYmEI/UfBWO4ro0kI/AAAAAAAAIN4/_AGI9kEF7Nc/PhotoGrid_1374676729284.png" /></span></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Lesson learned:&nbsp; Don't try to under pack when it comes to running clothes!</span></div></div></div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-35788746924975982042013-07-18T20:54:00.001-07:002013-07-18T20:54:55.087-07:00A Hot Topic<div><p dir=ltr>Since deciding to sign up for The Ring, I've been running during the hottest part of the day.&#160; Because I'm just that stupid.&#160; </p><p dir=ltr>It seemed like a great idea when I first started but then the temps rose and didn't stop.&#160; Yesterday was the hottest run I've done in ages.&#160; 90+ degrees with no air movement and little shade kept my miles in the single digits.&#160; </p><p dir=ltr>The plan does seem to be working.&#160; I'm not dying during my runs.&#160; I'm only losing a pound or two on my hour runs which is quickly replaced.&#160; Next week will bring a return to double days but the temps are to moderate a bit by then.</p><p dir=ltr>Until then I'll remember to carry water and a phone, put on sun screen and make sure someone knows where I'll be.&#160; Then after my run a cool bath or swim in the pool and rehydrating are a MUST!</p><br/><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7nuOJL6Kw9s/Uei4jcwLRJI/AAAAAAAAINo/yvCdbggDZFQ/PhotoGrid_1374177496885.png' /></div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-64018547412006001572013-07-16T06:45:00.002-07:002013-07-16T06:45:58.635-07:00Speaking of Teeth...<div align="center">If you popped by for yesterday's post, you know I was talking about teeth.﻿&nbsp; Dogs teeth.&nbsp; And my desire to keep them off of my legs, arms, face, what have you.&nbsp; Well, now I've got a new thing to worry about biting me and it's called</div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/news/theRing"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Ring</span></a>.</div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">I just shouldn't be left alone.&nbsp; While the super secret spy is off saving the world I decided to live vicariously through my running friends.&nbsp; During the summer I usually don't race much since we try to fill our available time with family adventures and kid activities.&nbsp; I usually feel really good about it since the family has supported me the other 3/4 of the year while I am training and racing.&nbsp; But something happened last week and I found myself really missing serious trail running.&nbsp; I was doping myself with little fixes of race reports and running club pages when it happened.&nbsp; My MMT pacer, D commented about a great training run she had.&nbsp; I asked her if she and signed up for the Ring which is a pretty big deal since she has another big race shortly after the Ring.&nbsp; </div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">One brief chat later and </div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">Cannonball!</div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KunJgsvRDmw/UeQLBdzY-KI/AAAAAAAAINY/ssndzGUTLQE/s1600/Cannonball.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KunJgsvRDmw/UeQLBdzY-KI/AAAAAAAAINY/ssndzGUTLQE/s320/Cannonball.PNG" width="245" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Go ahead and check it out.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/news/theRing">The Ring </a>has everything that challenges me, no race markings, rocky technical trails, 71 miles, limited support.&nbsp; There are times when I wonder, "who do I think I am?"&nbsp; And then there are days when I try and find out.&nbsp; August 31st will be one of <strong>those</strong> kind of days.&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>What have you jumped into lately?</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528976842290078378.post-23758210426336503732013-07-15T07:34:00.002-07:002013-07-15T07:52:34.665-07:00It Has Teeth<div align="center">There I was running in my favorite place, powering up one of my favorite hills when I saw him.&nbsp;</div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">A new dog on my route.</div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ez3AHFMSxzs/UeP7CxlPPCI/AAAAAAAAIMw/Q8tj__r39xc/s1600/vicious+dog.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ez3AHFMSxzs/UeP7CxlPPCI/AAAAAAAAIMw/Q8tj__r39xc/s320/vicious+dog.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">Luckily I saw someone in the yard mowing as the muscular creature trots toward me.&nbsp; The owner hears fido barking at me and yells no.&nbsp; To this command fido appeared deaf and continued to leave his yard to <span style="font-size: xx-small;">rip my leg off</span> get a closer look at me.&nbsp; I see what I think is a shock collar and ask the owner if the dog has one, aka asking if they turned the dumb thing on.&nbsp; Not that the shock collar was going to stop this particular creature given it's size.&nbsp; The owner replied to my question with my favorite thing owners say, "No don't worry.&nbsp; He doesn't bite."</div><div align="center">Seriously.&nbsp; </div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">As rover's warning beeps sounded he was in the middle of the road one quick lunge away from ending my running streak.&nbsp; Being the smart ass that I am I asked the owner if her dog had teeth.&nbsp; Because if he did, he could bite.&nbsp; And he clearly was not obeying her or his shock collar.&nbsp; The owner was not amused by my statement and continued to explain that rover would lick me to death but would not bite.&nbsp; </div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-hQwNxd5Xo/UeQE4gLXjXI/AAAAAAAAINA/74y7kwiJN_w/s1600/20130714_141142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-hQwNxd5Xo/UeQE4gLXjXI/AAAAAAAAINA/74y7kwiJN_w/s320/20130714_141142.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">Okay.&nbsp; I figured I am not giving up my favorite route just because of one new dog.&nbsp; I'm running in Heaven so nothing bad could happen, right?!&nbsp; Plus fido was wearing a shock collar and the owner was right there so I would just see how friendly he was.&nbsp; If he did bite me I would be rethinking that smart ass comment with my life hanging in the hands reaction time.&nbsp; So as the owner continued to reassure me, I took two steps closer to the creature whose head was as big as my pelvis.&nbsp; Fido took one sniff of me and began to bark vigorously.&nbsp; It's not the dog's breed that gave me extra concern, it was fido's build.&nbsp; He was a solid, huge headed, massively jawed biting machine.&nbsp; So maybe this particular canine hasn't used the qualities he was breed to have, that doesn't mean they aren't there.</div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">I had enough information to know that I will be very aware when I run by this house from now on.&nbsp; Situational awareness.&nbsp; That's all.&nbsp; A little recon to make it safer when Biking Sherpa is with me since she has a fear of dogs and bikes seem to bring out the chase - &nbsp;run down and maim - &nbsp;instinct in canines.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lm6oZJAopyg/UeQE9X9IbqI/AAAAAAAAINI/mM5BcQXmV0c/s1600/20130714_140903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lm6oZJAopyg/UeQE9X9IbqI/AAAAAAAAINI/mM5BcQXmV0c/s320/20130714_140903.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">I doubt I made a new friend in this pit bull's owner.&nbsp; Yeah fido is a pit bull.&nbsp; A big one.&nbsp; But his breed really doesn't have anything to do with my concern.&nbsp; It's simply his teeth.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">What's your favorite dog owner saying?</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: large;">How do you handle new dogs on your routes?</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Times, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: large;">Who wants to bet Biking Sherpa is up for a long route that doesn't involve passing the new dog?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times;"><em>If you liked this post check out <a href="http://itsjustonefootinfrontoftheother.blogspot.com/2009/10/dogs-are-jealous-of-runners.html">THIS</a> one about dogs.</em></span></div>Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822262051285512641noreply@blogger.com2